Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will, or, How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky

Great truth

DeYoung writes hard but sweet truth to those seeking the lord's will in the current generation. My only regret is that i did not read this book until i had finished my undergrad!

More directed at youth and young adults

Being a bit more mature in age, I found the material more directed at the younger (late teen and early 20) crowd. It does not make the book less important to read, only that the examples and such are for this crowd. I think the actual topic is one that is very relevant for our generation as most are seeking "the will of God". Coming from a solid Bible teaching church, the things taught in this book are discussed and taught from our leadership.

Pass!

A friend gave this book to me and said she absolutely loved it. Considering she is such a devout christian-I now know why she loved it so much. Towards the end-it just seemed ridiculous I mean he practically said youc ould go marry anyone you wanted and it would work out...yea right....anyways...although it was a super short book, it took me forever to read it b/c it was so dreadful to read...

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Just buy this book!

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung is another wonderfully relevant and thoughtful work from one of the best young writers in Classic Reformed theology.

DeYoung makes a compelling argument for the use of wisdom in our daily decision making and for a cessation of our seeking God's specific, hidden will for every daily decision. DeYoung's easily readable writing style, down to earth perspective, and refreshing bluntness about Biblical truth is wonderful. I especially enjoyed the practical application and the obvious usefulness of the truth found in this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone from a student deciding which college to attend, to a young person deciding when and whom to marry, to a professional deciding whether or not to switch careers.

New Flavor in "God's Will" Genre

I was impressed by Andrew DeYoung's "Just Do Something." The title captures the thrust of his book: Christians should stop sitting around, worrying about divining God's will, and get on with their lives.

Sounds shocking at first glance, especially in a book all about God's will. DeYoung candidly admits there's no shortage of books on the market telling us how to figure out exactly what God wants us to do. The majority of these, he acknowledges, claim that God has a perfect plan for your life, down to the details of who to marry and what to eat for breakfast.

Nonsense, he argues, and I agree. The idea that God has every detail of my life mapped out is nowhere spelled out in the Bible and is full of logical holes. But God does give us his "general will," the stuff God wants us all to do regardless of time and place. It's always wrong to murder and always good to be generous. DeYoung is basically rehashing St. Augustine: "Love God and do as you please."

How do the general guidelines work themselves out into the details of daily life? Wisdom. Having a heart and mind - character - shaped by God in Christ. As DeYoung says in ch. 5, "It's about who you are, not where you are." Let God shape your character and the rest will fall into place.

DeYoung has met many Christians who claim they can't take that crucial next step in life - marriage, job, vocation - because they must discover exactly what God's will for that decision. If only all churches were paralyzed because they're so deeply concerned about God's will! No, my gut tells me we have far more sinister reasons for avoiding the mission of God and life with God in general: apathy, laziness, unbelief. In other words, sin.

I'm sure there's a healthy hand full of saintly Christians running around (or sitting around, I suppose) afraid to make a move because they don't know what God wants. Good for them if they are indeed so concerned. But this excuse - "I'm waiting on God's will" - may be a deviously self-deceptive maneuver. After all, DeYoung is a pastor, and who hasn't told their pastor what they think their pastor wants to hear.

"Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc." is good reading in the "finding God's will for my life" genre. I read this book on audiobook and the narrator, Adam Verner, did a good job in his delivery. A little wooden at times but alright nonetheless. Worth a read or a listen.

*This book was provided by christianaudio at no charge for the sole purpose of review.

God's Will for the Next Generation

Are you looking for God's Will in your life? Are you wondering what He has planned for you next?

In Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung sparks interest in a new twist on God's Will for the Now Generation - those of us in the 20's and 30's. Kevin says that we should be seeking out God's will through prayer, wise counsel and scripture. None of that advice is new, but the approach is different. The "Now Generation" wants instant gratification, and they want the answers right now. They often lack the discipline of searching scripture, developing wise counsel, and praying.

He brings up many instances where people have over-thought God's will to the extreme. He understands that it is important to have God in all of our decisions, yet God did give us a brain to think and make decisions; therefore, we should use it.

One aspect of the book I found interesting was his discussion of finding a mate. He believes that guys have become too complacent in their pursuit of their helpmates. In fact, he is so bold as to assert that men have pushed women into roles that they have not necessarily wanted to take. Kevin believes that men need to man up. Wow, bold words! If you want to hear what else Kevin has to say on that subject, take a listen to this book.

I suggest that you listen to this book. The book has the same pace and writing style as Rob Bell. If you have listened to Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, then the narrator's voice will have an eery similarity.

Practical advice

Christians are similar to Americans in general when it comes to following Dr. Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle of improvement. Americans plan then study, study, study, study and then finally do. This book emphasizes that God's will is not that complicated. He simply wants us to do something, not simply study His word.

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