Something Needs to Change

If you have been actively involved trying to serve and share your faith with others, you probably are aware of the brokenness in our world. You’ve probably also been overwhelmed and frankly frustrated that more Christians aren’t doing something to bring about meaningful change. Not just about social justice issues, but also in the spiritual lives of the people around us.

I had just returned home from a month long mission trip. I had seen more brokenness than I could process. I had tried to help where I could – especially in areas where God had given me gifts, but it all felt so overwhelming at times. All I kept thinking was the fields are ripe, but the workers are few. Waiting for me when I returned home, was David Platt’s new book Something Needs to Change.

Fair warning, if you are involved in ministry, you will want to cry with Platt as he sobs on the floor at the end of his trip. On some level though, it’s nice to know you aren’t crazy in your passion about serving others and sharing your faith in places and with people others have often written off.

For Christians who aren’t passionate about serving others and sharing your faith, I can only pray this book breaks your heart. Because more Christians need to have their hearts broken and step up to serve others and share their faith. In Platt’s words, we need more Christians to realize something needs to change and start doing something about it.

This isn’t a book that lectures about social justice. It’s not a book that sermonizes on baptizing people. Rather it’s the story of a week long hiking expedition Platt took in the Himalayas. It’s an interesting read for those who enjoy adventure stories or tales of travels. But it’s so much more than that. At it’s core, Platt’s journey was a look at the realities of the world around us – whether it’s the Himalayas or Atlanta or somewhere in between. It’s a book of despair, but also of hope. For Platt also shares the stories of people who didn’t listen when others said they couldn’t make a dent in a problem, they just started praying and working where God led them.

I love, love, love that Platt takes the time to explain the crucial tie between meeting felt needs (social justice) and making disciples (teaching them how to become a Christian). He understands that both are important, but social justice without Christianity is fixing a temporary need and ignoring an eternal one. I pray many social justice Christians really understand. They don’t need to stop what they are doing to address the crucial eternal needs of those they are serving. Too many groups are Christian in name only – secular charities with a thin varnish of Jesus – not even attempting to teach the lost souls of the world as they minister to them. And that needs to change, too.

Read this book. Get your family and friends to read this book. Then discuss it. What are you and the people you know going to do to change the world? As Christians, we all need to do our part and hold each other accountable for truly changing the world in the ways God would want us to do.

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review. An affiliate link is included for your convenience.

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