SoulPrint by Mark Batterson
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"...Fulfilling your true destiny by discovering your true identity is a relevant message spurred on by Mark’s warmth and passion."
Within the pages of Soulprint,
Mark Batterson helps enlarge the vision of God's purpose in our lives.
He pulls no punches when he says it will
be a spiritually painful, emotionally exhausting self-examination. And
the majority of Christ-followers avoid discomfort at all costs. Yet it’s
the time to be catapulted into action. This self-initiated journey of self-discovery
begins in asking and answering the tough question “Who am I?”
Using the life of King David as his biblical backdrop, the author retells
several familiar stories focusing on David’s seven defining moments
in uncovering his God-given identity and therefore his destiny. There is
an energetic and authentic transparency when he writes. His imagery of
defining moments should resonate with each one of us.
Fulfilling your true destiny by discovering your true identity is a relevant
message spurred on by Mark’s warmth and passion. The wonderful statement
your uniqueness is God’s gift to you and is also your gift to God
should stir the holy confidence within each one of us.
Referring to 1 Samuel 7:12 where it states “So far, so good” Mark
has deepened its meaning in his life when he now states “So far,
so God!”
Here are some of the quotes I found particularly encouraging, convicting
and insightful (hopefully to whet your appetite):
"The reason
we get frustrated is because we think big without thinking
long. That is a recipe for disappointment. Reevaluate your timeline. And
be encouraged when it takes longer than you expected. That simply means
that God wants
to do something immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine.”
"Our
memories can either empower us to live by faith or imprison us to live
by fear. How we postimagine the future can make or break us.
"It’s
not what He could do (dunamis) that changed my life. It is what He
could have done but chose not to (exousia) that changes
me.”
"Disrobing is the courage to reveal who you are and who you aren’t.”
"Identity issues are the result of worshipping the wrong thing.”
There are a few instances where his words sound like smooth marketing cliques
i.e. “Are you willing to submit to short-term pain for long-term
gain?” And then again, maybe it is the way I read them that made
them sound a little too slick.
This is one of those books I will not read only once for review. I must
return and devour it again, seeking, examining, and discerning with the
help of the discussion questions at the end.
Mark Batterson is becoming one of my favorite non-fiction authors.
He has become a modern day prophet (similar to David’s Nathan)
to many people within and beyond the walls of National Community Church
in Washington,
D.C. including me.
