Using the analogy of a building imploding on
itself---planned and carefully prepped for the event, Eric Geiger walks us
through the process of a life being ruined, and yes, imploding. He reminds us that although the implosion of a
building occurs within seconds of the button being pushed, a lot of work has gone
into prepping the building for its demise. Often months’ worth of planning, with
steps being taken to weaken the foundation are involved. And so it goes with
the imploding life. It doesn’t just
happen.
In How to Ruin Your Life:
and Starting over when You Do (B&H Books, 2018) Geiger walks us through
the process- it probably starts small, and seems innocent. A casual flirtatious
comment, a party with friends where things get a little out of hand, maybe a
random pornographic image popping up on the computer screen-followed by a
deliberate search for more of the same.
Over weeks, months, or years, the behavior continues. Theoretically no
one knows what’s going on. But then there are whispered insinuations, snide comments,
and lots of flapping jaws, until suddenly the open secret is secret no more,
and the world as you know it ceases to exist. Family, job, reputation gone. They
disappear quickly, but it’s been in the works for some time.
But the good news is that we serve a God of second chances,
and we are given the opportunity to start over, we get the ‘redo’. When buildings are slated for destruction by
implosion, a lot of planning goes into that final moment. And then the obvious
work of the rebuild occurs. And a lot of
that work is obvious—the hauling away of the debris, digging the hole where the
foundation will be laid, framing, adding subsequent stories, roof and walls,
and then the inside work, plumbing, electric, plastering, painting, flooring
and all the other small details are taken care of. And so it is with a ruined life. It seems
like the destruction may have taken only a moment, but there was lots of hidden
stuff. And then the rebuild occurs, and much of that work is obvious. And it
takes time. Lost trust is not recovered overnight. A ruined reputation is not
quickly restored.
We all know people whose lives have imploded. Some of them
resign themselves to their new status as loser, and never recover. Others turn
to the ‘God of Second Chances’ and do the necessary work to rebuild. And they often come out stronger than before,
with an incredible testimony of God's grace.
I think this book should be required reading for pastors. And
maybe be re-read at periodic intervals as a reminder of the slippery slopes
upon which we frequently find ourselves.
watch a trailer
5/5
I received a copy of this book from the
publisher in exchange for my review
No comments:
Post a Comment