Summary: God is God of all of us, not just the extraordinary that get the world’s attention.
I think I am in a season where I want to re-read books that have impacted me. As I am drafting posts today, three of the four books I am writing about are books that I am re-reading. (My original review of God of the Mundane.)
Re-reading a book a couple years later is something I try to do regularly because often good books have more content than can be absorbed in a single reading. And several years later, you are in a different place and different things are impactful.
This time I suggested that my small group read this book together for discussion. The length is perfect as a discussion book, there are 15 chapters in less than 100 pages. Even slow readers can read 2 or 3 chapters in 20 or 30 minutes.
And like a good sermon, each chapter has one essential point. It was easy as the one that mostly led the discussion to summarize and come up with a couple questions to get things started.
What struck me most on this reading, and with the discussion, is how much of a disconnect there often is among pastors and lay people. Even though I am not a pastor, I think I read and think from a perspective of clergy. But the rest of my small group is made up of people that have never worked as a ‘professional Christian’.
So some of the points that I thought were most essential about vocation and calling and doing what God has put before you, seemed a bit obvious to some of the members of my small group. Even in the points that seemed obvious, the discussion was usually still good because we had to talk about why some of the group thought points were obvious and others did not.
As before, the last couple chapters seemed the best and really left our group with a positive view of the book and our discussion. The charge at the end of the book, which I quoted in my first review as well, is still worth quoting again.
“But I say, be nobody special. Do your job. Take care of your family. Clean your house. Mow your yard. Read your Bible. Attend worship. Pray. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Love your spouse. Love your kids. Be generous. Laugh with your friends. Drink your wine heartily. Eat your meat lustily. Be honest. Be kind to your waitress. Expect no special treatment. And do it all quietly.”
As much as I enjoy, and still recommend the book, I think that it might be something that is more important for pastors and ‘professional Christians’ than the average person. And for such a short book, there is too much repetition. Especially the introduction and first chapter have a lot of overlap. But the point of the book is worth reading and Redmond is worth supporting as an author.
The God Of The Mundane: reflections on ordinary life for ordinary people by Matt Redmond Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition
