Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

ISBN (Hardcover): 978-0-8499-2069-1
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Copyright: 2010

About the Author:

(Taken from inside flap)

Max Lucado is a minister who writes and a writer who preaches.  He and his wife, Denalyn, serve the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.  They have three grown daughters, Jenna, Andrea, and Sara; one son-in-law, Brett; and one sweet but lazy golden retriever, Molly.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Dear Friend,

May I share a story that is very dear to my heart?

It's a story of hillbillies and simple folk, net casters and tax collectors.  A story of a movement that exploded like a just-opened fire hydrant out of Jerusalem and spilled into the ends of the earth: into the streets of Paris, the districts of Rome, and the ports of Athens, Istanbul, Shanghai, and Buenos Aires.  A story so mighty, controversial, head spinning, and life changing that two millennia later we wonder:

Might it happen again?

Heaven knows we hope so.  These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desperately poor; one billion are hungry.  Lonely hearts indwell our neighborhoods and attend our schools.  In the midst of it all, here we stand: you, me, and our one-of-a-kind lives.  We are given a choice... an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time.  What if we did?  What if we rocked the world with hope?

Worth a try, don't you think?

My Review:

Even though I believe in God and His Word and try to live a Christian life, I tend to stay away from Christian literature.  I've always thought that it would be boring and I'd never finish a book.  This book has changed my mind.

When I first saw the title Outlive Your Life it made me think that the book would be about how to go beyond your normal circumstances and live your life to the fullest; which sounded a little boring to me, but I so wanted to have a book arrive in my mailbox that I decided to accept it from Book Sneeze for review.  I fully intended to force myself through reading it.

I couldn't have been more wrong.  Once I started reading the book I was intrigued.  The stories pulled me in.  The lessons behind the stories made me think.  Over the course of reading this book I slowly realized that this book was changing the way I think and act for the better.

The main purpose of the book is to teach you how to Outlive Your Life, but not in a way that you'd expect.  We can outlive our lives by being thoughtful, considerate, caring people.  The smallest action of kindness we extend towards those we find different can have the biggest effect on that person's life ... and potentially the lives of people that person comes in contact with.  When we do this, though, we don't need to 'toot our own horn' or make a big production out of it.  We should do it quietly and humbly.  God will reward you in due time.  I don't know about you, but I know that God's rewards are way better than any accolades we can acquire on our own.  God's rewards are longer lasting as well.

So, the next time you see a homeless person, a person of a another color, a person who may not have a lot of money, or someone you would normally make fun of, really look at that person.  Look beneath the surface until you see their actual need.  What do you really see?  Do you see someone who needs a friend?  Someone who is hungry but can't afford food?  Someone who needs a job?  If so, do what you can to help them.  Are there people at work you normally wouldn't associate with?  Do they seem to have no friends and no life outside of work?  Befriend them.  Invite them to dinner.  Ask them how they are and really listen to what they're saying.  We can outlive our lives be helping others improve theirs.

I saw myself throughout this book.  I didn't really like what I saw within myself.  I am striving to change the way I think.  This isn't something that can automatically be changed overnight, but I am determined to be there for others ... especially those nobody else will talk to, touch, or help.

This book is an excellent example of how a Christian could be more like Christ.  I am extremely grateful that I chose to go beyond my comfort zone and accept this book for review.  I think if you gave this book a chance, it could help change your view of the people in this world as well.

Additional Info:

(Taken from back cover)

One hundred percent of the author's royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.  To follow World Vision's use of the funds, go to http://www.maxlucado.com/