Book Review : Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

     In Outlive Your Life Max Lucado sends a message that underscores vital aspects of living as a follower of Christ and remains Biblical and purposeful in his approach.  His message draws frequently upon the book of Acts and relates the lives and work of those in the early church to our lives today.  Throughout the book the reader is encouraged and challenged to recognize their opportunity to make a difference in the world we live in and the need to keep Christ at the center of what we do.

     Social injustices, suffering, pain, sickness and death; these are all realities in our lives and the lives of those around us.  What can I do when it seems there is little that can be done? What can you do? I’m an ordinary mother living her ordinary life raising children and tending to the needs of my family, yet, God has given me an extraordinary ability to feel compassion for others around me, to wonder if my life can make a difference and the ability to purpose to do so each day.  Lucado provides a reminder of the call to see and act beyond the ordinary that God has given to others who have gone before us. These people include leaders and impact makers in the Bible as well as others who are unknown.  They used their lives, their talents, their time, and their specific calling to serve and reach out to others in ways that made a difference in someone’s life, or the lives of many. May my life be one that hears God’s calling and uses the desires and passions He has given me to bring Him glory through the serving of others.  As I do so, may it be as Lucado says, “If you are in Christ, God’s Spirit will speak through you.”

      Before delving into the application of outliving your life, Lucado does a great job of bringing the reader into thoughtful contemplation of how they may be shielding themselves from the pain of others and prompting them to ask for God’s help to look outside their own shell of protection.  He then intently reminds the reader not to forget the Bread; the Bread being the message and good news of Christ’s divinity, His sacrifice and His victory over death.  Ultimately, the reader is reminded and encouraged to accept, if they haven’t already, the offer of Jesus to turn away from their sin and accept His victory over death as payment for sin and its consequences in their lives; then pass this message on.

     Through the next several chapters Lucado shares moving stories of common people making a difference in the lives of others.  In many cases they teamed up.  They were not alone in their consideration and assistance of others.  He provides the example of the early church, as seen in the book of Acts, where believers worked in community.  Through the common ground of the death and resurrection of the Lord, the believers came together and assisted the poor and needy and helped others.  The body worked together.  Today, we too can work together and share hospitality with others.  We can look beyond and truly see the hurting around us and with God’s help and for His glory, reach out to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind and the oppressed. 

      Every chapter of “Outlive Your Life” begins with scripture and ends with prayer.  In the back of the book there is also a discussion guide to provide starting points in small groups that may choose to study the book together.  Overall I was pleased with the scriptural context and concepts that were present throughout the book.  In addition to challenges to reach beyond ourselves, the reader is reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love, the persecution that will come when serving Him yet that it is God who holds you, who is caring for us in all we do. Outliving our lives is not something we do on our own. In fact , Lucado wraps up with the reminder to pray first and pray most. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”   My prayer is that we would draw near to Him daily, that we would not be double minded in our thoughts and that we would look to the Lord and ask for His strength to see beyond our lives and into the lives of others. May it not be for our own glory or for a notch closer in a quest for self-righteousness.  Rather, may it be out of our love for Him that we love others and desire to share His love.  May it all be for the Lord’s glory.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”