Those of you who know me will know that I'm not a reader. My philosophy in life has been 'if it's worth reading, they'll make a movie of it'. I figure, watching the movie is not only quicker than reading, it's visual and i won't get a headache from hours of staring at pages on a book.
Well, between Christmas and New Years last year, i went away with some friends from college and i was recommended to read an autobiography by Stephen Lungu called Out of the Black Shadows. Given that we weren't doing anything during the days i really had no good excuse not to read it. Plus I was intrigued by hearing my friends brief explanation of how Stephen became a Christian after heading to an evangelistic meeting with the intention of throwing petrol bombs into the tent, but as he heard the gospel message preached that night, instead of causing devastation, he accepted Christ.
After my record of taking 7 1/2yrs to read A Call to Spiritual Reformation, i can say i was shocked that even I managed to read this book in less than a week! It was an amazing encouragement and reminder to see how God can use the 'weak' things of this world to bring glory to himself. It doesn't matter that Stephen was abandoned as a child, slept under bridges, had to scrounge for food from peoples garbage bins, was never taught to read or write as a child, or was even ready to be a terrorist and kill Christians, God can and does use him to be bringing the good news of the gospel to the world! As i read this book, i was constantly challenged how God works in the most unexpected ways, of my attitude and judgement of others, to be generous to those in need, as well being reminded of the danger in cross cultural work as he tells plenty of great stories of cross-cultural miscommunications. I can't believe that i'm saying this, but i'd recommend if you get a chance to read this book, to do so. if i can read it in a week, i'm sure anyone else could read it in less than that!
