Born to WANDER – Book Review
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for providing my honest review. The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own.
We often hear the adage that we are only pilgrims here, that this world is not our home. But do we really know what that means or what that even looks like in real life? Well author Michelle Van Loon sheds some light on this in her book “Born to WANDER: Recovering the Value of Our Pilgrim Identity”.
This book challenges ones thoughts about the Christian journey. It categories the journey into variant stages: the spiritual wanderer, tourist, settler and pilgrim. And it causes you to think about which stage you may be experiencing in your own life. Giving a bit of insight on what each of those stages may look or feel like.
The beginning of the book reads how we begin our wandering due to exile. And how as exiles, we have the choice to move toward God or away from God. It goes along to discuss more of the process of the journey from exile to our intended destination homeward. Which is a life with Jesus in Heaven.
The author illustrates these thoughts through biblical examples, quotes from notable people and through her own personal accounts as well. And there are so many points that stood out to me. I ended up reading the book with a highlighter in one hand, marking the book up, while saying this is so good!
So I wanted to share a few that really spoke to me. I narrowed it down a lot because whoo wee, there were tons that I highlighted that just solidified some great points:
- “We are more than just the sum of our own life experiences.”
- “We do not wander in vain, nor do we journey alone.”
- “Transition carries with it the temptation to return to familiar past, no matter how toxic it was, rather than live in the bewildering present.
- “The reality is God’s grace is the expression of the holy beauty of His pure, jealous love. We receive it every time we recognize we could never earn it and do not deserve it.”
- “Pilgramiage is always a step by step decision to follow Him.”
- “We are born to wander, but we are born again to wander home.”
Regarding the layout of this book, I love how it includes points ‘to consider’ at the end of each section. Along with space to write out your thoughts and a prayer to affirm those points mentioned within the chapter. It really helps you to pause and think about what you have read and to let it settle in a bit.
So this book tells us that our experiences along the journey helps our trust to grow in knowing “Holy Spirit’s faithfulness in leading us exactly where we need to go, every step of our journey“ as stated by the author. And all in all, I definitely consider this a great book for learning more about the Christian journey. As well as, spiritual growth and maturity.
This book is a great reminder that life is indeed a journey and that wherever we find ourselves in the journey, we must trust the Lord’s leading and that he is with us every step of the way. Amen!
Now here’s your chance to win a copy of this awesome read for yourself!! Enter below for your chance to win.
