Eyes Wide Open by Jud Wilhite with Bill Taaffe
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"...not pop psychology from the newest celebrity on Oprah but solid biblical advice from a frontline, yet humble man of God."
The founding pastor of Central
Christian Church in Las Vegas, Jud Wilhite passionately shares about
a much needed eye exam for all who follow the
King of Kings. The bottom line for him is shared in this introductory quote: “I
had it all backwards. The main thing was not my love for God, but His love
for me. And from that love I respond to God as one deeply flawed, yet loved.
I’m not looking to prove my worth. I’m not searching for acceptance.
I’m living out of the worth God already declares I have. I’m
embracing his view of me and in the process discovering the person He created
me to be.” In Eyes Wide Open, Jud Wilhite invites you to discover
the real you who’s loved and forgiven by God, living life out of
your identity in Christ.
His pastoral (caring) heart is evident. He writes not presenting a polished
three point sermon, but rather as a friend who wants each of us to discover
our lifelong need for grace . . . to not always feel guilty before a God
who we often see as only tolerating us. He doesn’t sugarcoat the
struggles or the challenges in this authentic one-on-one conversation,
that could’ve happened in the living room or across your dining room
table.
Within a mere four sections, Jud exhorts us 1) to learn to see God as He
has created us, 2) to see ourselves not based on our works or actions,
3) to see forgiveness from God's perspective, 4) to become wide open to
change in our own life and to influence others. The chapters are short
enough to read without being overwhelmed with excessive content.
Here’s a quote worth memorizing from Part II: Wide Open to Identity
in the chapter Slaves and Servants: “Servants are free from the constant
one-upping that drives so many in our culture. They are free from the relentless
need for attention, for affirmation, for the spotlight. They are free from
so many games that go on in the name of success. They aren’t worried
about spreading their fame but instead go about spreading the fame of God.
Their joy is found in Him, and their recognition comes from serving Him.”
Eyes Wide Open was a refreshing read, encouraging me to see myself and
God with new eyes, focusing upon the reality that we don’t have to
pretend to be more “perfect” than we really are to satisfy
everyone’s expectations. It is a book of stories, both personal and
from those willing to have their stories known. It is not pop psychology
from the newest celebrity on Oprah but solid biblical advice from a frontline,
yet humble man of God.
Jud is preacher who I’d love to hear in person some day but for now,
I’ll enjoy soaking up his biblical insights as an author/pastor.
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