Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The River


It’s not often I come across a book highly recommended by both Andy Andrews and John C. Maxwell—authors I have learned a great deal from—so when I see that they mutually agree that a certain book will transform the reader’s perspective on life, I take note! Having finished reading The River by Michael Neale about a week ago, I concur with their predictions that this book would have an impact on me. Already I’ve seen that where I previously was more or less complacent I am now pursuing positive change. I am further developing God-given talents through music, meeting and interacting with new people, and taking big next steps in securing a more satisfying job. Is all this due to reading one little book? I’m not sure, but let me tell you about it.

Gabriel Clarke lived his childhood scared of The River and anything to do with water. Perhaps that’s because of the memory of a day he could not get out of his mind—the day he last saw his father, who saved the life of a kayaker at the expense of his own life. Young Gabriel was mad, “Wasn’t I more important than that reckless kayaker? Didn’t he deserve what was coming?” These thoughts plagued him and caused him to live in a shell for most of his childhood. His heart slowly changed over time, and one day Gabriel decided to accept a friend’s invitation to go on a rafting trip in Colorado—on the same river he and his dad had loved many years ago. It was there that he realized he was made for The River. It didn’t take much to convince him that his dead-end job of cleaning the Five and Dime store back in Kansas should not and could not hold him back from fulfilling his destiny at The River. Throughout his experiences that summer interacting with The River and the people who were also called to The River, Gabriel became a new man—a man who took hold of not who he was, but who he was destined to become.

While I enjoyed this novel at face value due to the gripping story that kept me up late at night and wishing my lunch break were longer, there is another level to this novel. In the narrative, the author stays away from most religiosity in the story, but when viewed as an allegory comparing The River to God and His ways, a lot of spiritual insight can be found. In fact, during the month leading up to the world-wide release of his book, Michael co-hosted a four-part sermon series at his church in Florida about the deeper meaning of what The River is. He reveals that “The River [God] is shaping everything in its path.” “The River [God] is alive and is moving all over the world.” “The world will not be the same because of [God] The River.” “When we’re with The River [God], we know it’s where we’re meant to be.” Gabriel truly found his life when he encountered The River. The same can ring true for you; just get in…all the way in!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “The River” through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

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