Knowing that I may possibly be the last person to read "The Shack" by WM. Paul Young, I finally gave in last week. I'm glad I did.
I am a reader. I am not a fiction reader. I should be but for some reason reading fiction at times brings guilt as there is always something out there I need to be reading that isn't fiction, ya know?
I am so impressed by the writers imagination. The story is captivating, heartbreaking, inspiring and at times breathtaking. I loved the way Young dove into the depth of God's love for us.
I don't want to go deeply into the story, you have to do yourself a favor and read it for yourself. I will however say that I can see how people are so inspired by the story. "The Shack" is the story of a man named Mackenzie Phillips, faithful husband to Nan and father of five kids. A tradgedy happens to Mack's family that leaves him in the throws of depression and the overwhelming sadness that often accompanies tradgedy. The happening leaves Mack with many hurts, doubts and questions concerning the incident as well as God. The major happening in the story is that God decides to do something about it.
You really gotta check this book out!
I am also aware that some people are offended by the route that the author takes to describe God in the book, totally missing the heart of what the writer was presenting. One word: Fiction. It's a story. A story interwoven with theology and questions, but none-the-less, a fictional work designed to entertain as well as make the reader think and hopefully discuss the complexities of the book. I was actually inspired in that God was willing to do whatever was necessary to reach Mack (sounds familiar to another story of God going to great lengths to reach us, doesn't it?). God is not looking for your ritual – He is always interested in relationship.
Warning: at the end of chapter 11 I was torn up!!! Check it out for yourself.
