"The Great Madness"

I recently read a book called The Shack by Willam P. Young. A good friend recommended the book, otherwise I doubt that I would have picked it up myself. I was pleasantly surprised and greatly blessed. The author gives rich expression to some difficult theological concepts and illustrates the character and heart of God beautifully and powerfully. A friend of mine wrote: "It is amazing how my attitude has changed since reading this book. I have been given tools to love the “unlovable”, to understand “the mean spirited”, to pray for “the evil”. I have a greater understanding of that which I do not understand." I agree.

Product Description from Amazon:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book! http://www.amazon.com/Shack-William-P-Young/dp/0964729237/ref=ed_oe_p




Recently, I had an epiphany of sorts. It really wasn't a result of reading this book, but the framework for the story helped me define what had happened in me. In The Shack, the main character, Mack, refers to "The Great Sadness" that had come into his life when his young daughter was murder. I haven't ever experienced something that terrible, but about 10 years ago a series of events brought into my life what I now see was a "Great Madness". I was angry as h*ll but had no way to process it or resolve it. "The Great Madness" lived in the recesses of my soul...until recently. It wasn't a simple process, but the dark clouds of my anger have started to part and light is beginning to shine into those hidden places. I am lighter...freer...more alive. I am very grateful.

Comments

whowouldub said…
I felt the same way about the book. I walked away changed...more loving and compassionate.

I've already bought and given away 5 copies and have ordered more. It is such a treasure and I want to share it.
Katherine E. said…
"I am lighter...freer...more alive. I am very grateful."

I'm grateful, too, Kathy.

Lovely post.
Jan said…
I have the book, but haven't read it yet, even wondered if I ever will. Now, with your recommendation, I'll read it! Thanks.

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