Don't Waste Your Life....

While on a mission trip to Guatemala a decade ago, one of my colleagues repeatedly brought up the name of John Piper in our one-on-one conversations. Admittedly, I was familiar with his name but knew little of his ministry at the time. A year later, while attending a conference, I wandered into a nearby bookstore and purchased a copy of "Don't Waste Your Life." I read it and my perspective of life and ministry immediately began to be altered. Since that time I have read nearly all of his books, and have just completed this one for a second time. What makes John Piper such an effective preacher and author is the manner in which he is able to probe beneath the surface of our insulated Christian lives and touch the spiritual nerve where we actually exist. One cannot read Piper and walk away comfortable. No one I have read or heard has stated the biblical position for man's existence and purpose with greater clarity. In all of his books (something like four dozen of them!) his theology is consistent. If "Don't Waste Your Life" is your first Piper book, as it was mine, it is doubtful that it will be your last. The author places God in His preeminant role and assures man that his created purpose is to relate to God as all that He is for us in Christ Jesus. Whether a young person who has just come to Christ or a "seasoned saint" who has been walking with the Savior for many years, this book will cause the reader to focus on Jesus as our supreme Treasure. But be warned! You may be led to devote your life in unrestrained service to Him. While many well-meaning followers of Christ get bogged down in the vague quagmire of "looking for God's will" for their lives, this book makes it quite clear: don't waste it...live all of it for the glory of God! After all, as Piper is known for proclaiming, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." Do yourself a favor before it's too late...read this book. Read it carefully with a listening heart.

It's easy to slip through life without taking any risks-without making your life count. But life ought not be wasted. You don't need to know a lot of things to make a lasting difference in the world, but you do have to know the few, great, unchanging, and glorious things that matter and be willing to live and to die for them.

John Piper's plea to a generation is, "Don't waste your life!" This book is a passionate call to make your life count for eternity. He acknowledges that there are risks for those who seek to make a lasting difference by faith, yet he believes that they are risks worth taking for the cause of the Gospel.“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full. This is not a book about how to avoid a wounded life, but how to avoid a wasted life. Some of you will die in the service of Christ. That will not be a tragedy. Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy”.

It's easy to slip through life without