Once again Charles Martin gives us an unlikely hero who is willing to lay down his life for others, not just being willing to die for others, but being willing to live for others. He reminds us that we should be ready to lay our lives down for another, not waiting for someone who seems to deserve it, but to offer it even for those who struggle through issues of their own making. In this story the object of the hero's service is an extremely rich, award winning, drug abusing, mentally unstable woman who has been emotionally and sometimes physically abused. When we encounter someone who inspires a list of negative attributes, may we, like our unlikely hero, be able to see the value of a human life and be willing to allow our lives to be used by God to assist as He has enabled us.
Charles Martin weaves this story slowly and deliberately, crafting an intricate plot as he moves between the past and the present, slowly revealing events that molded the characters and the decisions they make. Martin is very bold in the mental images he creates. This book may be one that reignites the social media debate over how far can a story go and still be considered Christian fiction. In actuality those who don't have a relationship with Christ may not see him in the pages of this story, but those who do will find places where he is revealed.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Last Exchange from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment