“This book is about a kind of joy that never ends. The peculiar twist is that this joy makes God look like the supreme treasure that he is. The unwasted life is based on the discovery that our gladness and God’s glory reach their apex together.”
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper is a stirring, heartfelt exhortation from the author to spend your life carefully, and for the right purpose and aim. He challenges the reader to look beyond the trivial things that we have filled our heads with, that we have allowed to capture our loyalties. Piper writes to ignite a fire of joy in our hearts, a fire of purpose for the kingdom of our Maker, our greatest Treasure. He continually strives to remind you what is truly important, that we only have one life to use. In the words of missionary C.T. Studd, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Piper writes to remind all of us, students in particular, that we have one life, and that that life can have only purpose. Either, you live for Christ with abandon, or you live for the world. Don’t waste your life.
“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full. This is not a book about how to avoid a wounded life but how to avoid a wasted life. Some of you will die because of your allegiance to Jesus. That will not be a tragedy. Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy.”
Rereading Don’t Waste Your Life in preparation for this review has reminded me just how powerful this book is. Though it is a smaller book, Piper packs a punch in the pages he uses. Don’t Waste Your Life leaves the reader with a lot of excellent food for thought! It is such a timely read as we see so many around us throwing their lives away for things that won’t last or satisfy them in the long run. The pull of culture is strong, and in Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper gives a strong cry against it and a hard pull in the opposite direction. An excellent book to read in the new year as you make plans for the year ahead.
Content Value: 5/5
Moral Value: 5/5
Overall Value: 5/5
Edifying? : Yes!!
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