Beth Moore Book Review

Several months back, I recommending this book to someone, even though I hadn't read it yet, on the authority of those that consider Beth Moore to be one of the greats of Christian women authordom. Actually, I bought Jesus, the One and Only my freshman year when I was looking for some new books to read. Yesterday, I finally picked it up. The book chronicles the life of Jesus in a way that makes it more like a narrative. Not that reading any of the gospels is insufficient in itself, but Moore takes the time to explain certain words and ideas from their original language and context, so that the reader will understand a more complete picture of Jesus. For so many, Bible stories exist in this fictitious, other-world of "way back then," but Moore invites us to imagine with her what things might have been like. Still, she's very clear when it comes to explaining which parts are doctrine, historical facts, and her own imaginings, which is of course important to me because I find nothing more frustrating than someone's misrepresenting God.

While I have by no means finished it yet, I wanted to share some thoughts about what I've read so far and how God has used the book to speak personally to me. I love how He is so personal--how He knows me through and through. I think there are big things happening around me that I've been lately unaware of. Twice this week, I woke up ridiculously early (like yesterday at 4 am) feeling completely awake for some reason. So I start to pray, thinking that maybe someone somewhere needs prayer. Then I got up and pulled out this book, which I've been meaning to start soon.

Chapter one blew me away. It was like God woke me up early just so that I could read these words:

"Have you almost given up on God answering an earnest, long-term prayer of your heart? Not becoming hopeless over a repetitious request can be terribly challenging. God never missed a single petition from the children of Israel to send their Messiah; nor did He miss a solitary plea from the aching hearts of a childless couple. God does not have some limited supply of power, requiring that we carefully select a few choice things to pray about. God's power is infinite. God's grace and mercy are drawn deeply from the bottomless well of His heart...Like Zecharaiah and Elizabeth, continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed. Walking with God in the day-in/day-out course of life swells your assurance that God is faithful and enjoyable even when a request goes unmet. Recognizing all the other works God is doing in your life will prevent discouragement as you await your answer. Zechariah waited a long time for God's answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the priest could have thought or asked."

God blessed Zechariah's barren wife with a baby, who turned out to be John the Baptist, the forerunner of the long-awaited Messiah. I'm sure it sucked for Elizabeth to wait all of those years, wondering why God had not given her any children, but the situation made John's birth all the more incredible.

I still hate to wait, but yesterday morning, it was as if God softly whispered in my ear.

I love you, Meredith, and I hear your prayers. Trust me. This is going to be good...