Description of the book:
Why are we so restless?
All of us have a little wanderlust—a desire for that next thing, that new place, but this competes with our longings for security, control, and safety. We don't like how it feels to be unsettled and uprooted. Whether we're navigating a season of transition, dealing with the fallout of broken relationships, or wrestling with a deep sense of restlessness, we are all experiencing some form of exile. And most of us do whatever we can to numb the feelings of unbelonging, powerlessness, and unsettledness that come with it. But the truth is that exile has a profound purpose if we can just learn to lean in.
Over and over again Scripture tells us that the people of God are exiles and wanderers. And this is good news because exile is what transforms us into pilgrims. In Christ, we are no longer directionless wanderers, but pilgrim followers who have a clear purpose and a secure identity. In Born to Wander, Michelle Van Loon weaves together personal stories and keen insights on the biblical themes of pilgrimage and exile. She will help you embrace your own pilgrim identity and reorient your heart toward the God who leads you home. Engaging and thoughtful, enhanced with practical suggestions, prayers, and questions, Born to Wander will teach how to trust God even when you don't understand what's happening around you and follow Him even when it hurts.
If you keep chasing security, you'll never find it. Embrace the purpose behind the wandering and discover the freedom and safety of resting in God alone.
“Every one of us carries a restlessness that runs as deep as the marrow of our born-again bones. Our relationships shift like tectonic plates. We change jobs. We switch churches. And our culture tells us the cure for our restlessness is to buy a new mattress, a new car, or a new tube of toothpaste.
About the author:
Michelle is a regular contributor to Christianity Today's women's blog, In Touch magazine, and is the co-founder of ThePerennialGen.com, a website for midlife women and men. She’s married to Bill, and is mother of three and grandmother of two. Learn more about her writing and speaking ministry by visiting her website, MichelleVanLoon.com.Our take on the book:
Both my husband and I found some things in the book that we liked, but we also found things we questioned and wondered about.
There was a broad survey of “pilgrimages” in scripture, and aspects of life's
journeys, both physical and spiritual. Many places she encourages the reader to discover ways to use the desire to wander to grow in Christ and find their true calling/purpose for serving Him. This is something we can agree with. We all need to learn our purpose and to live out our part in the Body of Christ.
The things we questioned were what we thought was stretching Scripture to fit what she was talking about. Every believer is to be a
pilgrim in this world, journeying purposefully to closer fellowship
with God and better conformity to Christ's example. We are in this world, but not of this world. But instead of
using personal stories to illustrate biblical principles for
Christian growth, the author seems to use her personal experiences to
determine the principles, and find something in scripture involving
travelers to back up her conclusions.
Biblical principles,
standards of the world, and personal history all seem to have equal
weight, and everything is seen through the lens of wandering with little to no
balance.
There is enough to glean from the book to encourage you, but we think some caution is needed in reading it to remember that Scripture should be the beginning and final authority Our faith should start there, not in what we believe and then find Scripture that supports that belief.
This reviewer received the product free
or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No
other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the
reviewer.
