Let Your Life Speak
While reading Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer, I really got caught up in his story about his journey following God's call. I found myself drawing parallels to my own life and experiences and wondering to myself what was next for me. I've come to realize though, that Palmer's life, while being an excellent example of how to deal with God's calling, isn't for everyone. I would argue that in fact Palmer would not want most people to travel his same road. The book does not proclaim a way to live life, but rather, small ways that one can push ahead into life from the point on the journey where you are. The idea for this book is based on one man's life and how he has dealt in the past and present with issues that everyone faces. Palmer portrays faith not as a bright and cheery place at the top of a mountain, but a full representation of who we are. Palmer really challenges the reader to step out in faith into that person that we were really created to be and rely on a Creator that knows what He's doing. Palmer begins the book with a chapter entitled listening to life. He uses an unusual literary device to tell his story. He begins with the lesson he ultimately learned in the end that drove him to
Palmer writes about it this way: "Biblical faith calls it the image from God in which we are created. So many times we disregard all the bad things in our lives as not from God; when God takes those points in our lives can really changes us for the better. He uses growth in a slightly different way but very correctly. It is refreshing for me, knowing that I want to be in ministry but not where, that I really don't have to know where I'm going or have everything figured out to a 'T'. It seems that in a society where we are always forced to put our best foot forward; there is rarely time for us to admit our faults and our weaknesses, though they are a crucial part of the person that we are. Telling the story this way gives the author a sense of humility in the beginning of his story and a strong sense of credibility throughout. Parker argues that we need not look to the heavens to find our true calling and God's will in our lives. I think since then though, I've come to really understand my strengths and weaknesses and knowing these has been influential in both my decisions and my ministry to others. " This wonderful quote reminisces of prophets unsurely walking up to a sea soon to become dry land or disciples looking in amazement out at their Lord walking on the water. Stepping out to become one's self, followed by disappointment and hardship, leading into depression and true despair, getting up and showing others, and finally reflection on a life coming full circle. God created us with our gifts, talents, and personalities, and He did it for a reason. God wrote in to who we are the fabric of what would make up our lives. Palmer rejects using this treatise for discovering what God's will in our lives is. I know that I'm not called much to evangelism but more of teaching much like Mr.
Common topics in this essay:
Thomas Merton,
Creator He's,
Parker Palmer,
God God,
Life Speak,
life speak,
palmer describes,
lives god,
created god,
own life,
telling story,
god created,
help own,
god's lives,
|
Acceptance Essays
