One of my favorite Christian authors is Max Lucado. I like his story-telling style in which he takes everyday experiences to a level that causes the reader to see more than meets the eye. His writing has a profound way to touch the deeper parts of our emotions, sensing more of the grace of God in our life and how we might show that grace to others. By his own admission, Max is an average man, writing for the average person.
While browsing our local bookstore a while back, I noticed a pretty little square shaped book with a beautiful dust cover depicting photos of hands working on pottery. The title, Shaped by God, as well as the author's name caught my attention and I bought it, possibly to use as a gift. But it stayed with me and as I read the Foreword I learned that this was his first ever published book, originally published in 1985, by the name On the Anvil.
While browsing our local bookstore a while back, I noticed a pretty little square shaped book with a beautiful dust cover depicting photos of hands working on pottery. The title, Shaped by God, as well as the author's name caught my attention and I bought it, possibly to use as a gift. But it stayed with me and as I read the Foreword I learned that this was his first ever published book, originally published in 1985, by the name On the Anvil.
I learned something else. When Max Lucado put his first manuscript together, he did not know the name of a single publisher. He went to the library, copied the names of fifteen publishers and sent off fifteen copies. Six came back unopened. Six had opened it, but said no. Three expressed interest and one sent him a contract.
His humble beginning is hard to believe when you read that today Max Lucado has more than 100 million products in print, including gift books, children's books, Study Bibles, devotionals, videos, greeting cards and more. I see a message of encouragement in this story alone. A message to take a chance and see what God will do.
Shaped by God is a collection of short stories written and compiled with the blacksmith's shop in mind; a shop housing broken tools, those on the anvil, and those ready for noble purposes. These inspiring stories remind us that we are all somewhere in this shop, either sitting idle, being worked on, or being used for the right purpose.
As readers we are challenged to ask where we fit into the workshop. In doing so, we are warned about the deadly trap of complacency that we can so easily fall into. On the day I read this I was reminded of this on The News, in the setting of airport security. How dangerous when we fall into the hands of someone who has become complacent at their job. And to quote Lucado,
"The most deadly trick of Satan is not to rob us of answers. It's to steal our questions."
May we not be afraid to ask questions, even those that might be painful and call for some shaping, in order to make us God's chosen instruments.
6 comments:
He is also one of my favorite authors. I begin each morning reading from one of his daily devotional books, and because of his writing style, I never struggle to understand the message.
How interesting...that Max Lucado wrote a manuscript for which there was little interest. How grateful I am that one publisher sent him a contract! I like his writing...and subscribe to the devotional 'Upwords with Max Lucado'.
I love Max Lucado's writing, he's one of my favourite authors. However, I've never read that book, it's sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I've always enjoyed Max Lucado as well. Thank you for telling the story of his humble beginnings.
The publisher who took the chance on him must be ever so grateful he did.
The story of complacency is one that we need to hear more often.
Max Lucado has a way of writing that draws me in. I love the picture of the potter at the wheel. God continues to shape and create us into His likeness....I'm so glad it's an ongoing process.
I enjoyed reading of his beginnings. He stepped out in faith and God has given him incredible opportunities.
I, too, am a Max Lucado fan. At a former church, we turned some of his illustrations into skits.Because he is so relevant,they were very meaningful.I am reading "God's Story/ Your Story" now... another winner!
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