My Thoughts on UNLEASH! by Perry Noble
"God has a habit of taking average, ordinary people and using them to accomplish extraordinary things." This is a quote from the recently released book, UNLEASH! Breaking Free from Normalcy by Perry Noble, and I think Perry is a fine example of God doing just that. He has an ordinary story, that many could identify with, and he is doing extraordinary things with it. Perry is real and transparent as he allows his God-given character to teach the truth of God's word, while sharing the testimony and impact it made in his life. I especially appreciated that his insights were completely wrapped around Scripture and coincided with the story of David, Paul, King Jehoshaphat, John Mark and Peter. It wasn't like he wrote a book and added some verses in here and there. There was Scripture, and then there was Perry- with his stories, testimonies and insights, complimenting it. His thoughts are refreshing and beneficial both to the new believer and the mature one. While reading UNLEASH! I feel like I was sitting across the table from him. You really get to know a bit of him as you read through each chapter. You see his love for Jesus and the church and it's evident that God will continue to use him to bring Truth in a refreshing way.
I am going to share with you some specific ways God used Perry to speak to me.
First off, with us studying Matthew at the moment, and learning about the disciples- this quote from UNLEASH! coincides with chapter 4, where Jesus chooses the first four disciples. "God has a habit of taking average, ordinary people and using them to accomplish extraordinary things." Remember what they did for a living? They were fishermen! I say that's pretty average and ordinary. Yet God took Simon, who was called Peter, Andrew, James and John and turned them into Jesus' disciples! That's prety extraordinary! How encouraging for us. Most people would say they are pretty average- me included. I'm sure Perry thinks the same of himself. Yet, look what God has done through Perry! Although not all of us will be pastors of a mega church, seeing thousands of lives changed by the gospel, or write a book that gets published by a large publishing company like Tyndale- but for Perry that how God did extraordinary things. Be encouraged by that!
With all that's going on in my life- leading a womens ministry in my hometown, doing the Bible study and blog on this website, being a wife of a man preparing for full time ministry, being a mom of two young children- this hit me like a ton of bricks: "David wasn't looking to do something great. David wasn't doing the pursuing, it's the Lord who was seeking David." I know that the things I am doing now, the Lord has placed upon my heart. But the one thing that I strongly desire to do, is publish a book. I feel a calling to write, which I believe the Lord is using my blog to practice and build my literary skills, but lately I have really been asking God, what's my next step? (That's a question Perry asks the reader too!) When I read this text from Perry's book, I realized that my heart has been trying to pursue professional writing rather than letting God seek it out in His timing. I know that he is preparing me for being an author (among other things) but notice, I used the word preparing. God isn't asking me to write a book right now. He is asking me to keep doing what I'm doing... until He opens a door for me to walk through. What I loved about all this, is this situation was going on right now- as I'm reading his book, and God used this text to speak very clear to me. Thank you Lord!
The truth in chapter four that Perry mentions has also been something that I have worked through. "The key to living a meaningful life is to focus not on what we want but rather on who Jesus is and what HE wants for us." When my relationship with Jesus deepened, my desires became less and less important. What replaced them, was the need to be aligned with God's will for my life. When I did that- my life was truly unleashed! God called on me to quit drinking; He asked my husband and I to get off birth control so we deepen our trust in Him to direct our lives in childbearing; to write Bible studies, being transparent in what I share; I became unshackled from my porn addiction; money and attaining it became of less value to me; serving the church became something I couldn't live without and my joy and contentment came from nothing else but Jesus. Out of all the truths that Perry goes into detail about, this one- I believe, is a truth everyone should act on.
In some of the things I have been doing lately, people have questioned my intention or persecuted me because of it. One of the examples is a Gospel Challenge I posted through Facebook. But as Perry writes: "As followers of Christ, our primary goal is not to be understood, but rather to be obedient." God asked, I obeyed. God gives me the time to do it, the time I need with my children, my husband and the strength and joy to do it. "When you know what God wants for your life- go for it!" and later in the same chapter, "What would you be willing to attempt for God, if you knew you could not fail?" I know my answer. Do you know yours?
In chapter nine, there was one sentence in particular that made me smile. "It's a spiritual impossibility to become the people Jesus wants us to be without letting others in." This has been a fairly recent experience. The last three years we have been going to Cornerstone church in Spooner, WI. LOVE IT. In the past, we have been friends with other people, but we didn't let others "into" our lives. Since we have been letting others in, we have experienced much more spiritual growth the last three years, that we didn't even know was possible. Thank you Perry for reminding me of this awesome truth, that everyone should consider!
These were just a few of the points I wrote down in my journal and reflected on. Whether you have just started following Jesus, or whether you have journeyed with Him a long time, UNLEASH! will still challenge you to be who Jesus wants you to be and do the things He wants you to do. I was deeply encouraged and challenged by every single chapter, and I believe you will be too!
Buy your copy today: www.unleashbook.com/buy