Irresistible Revolution

I just finished reading Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne and I must say it was one of the more challenging books I have read. Shane is a man who will deny that he is living very radically but that's because he compares his life to that of early church fathers. However when comparing his lifestyle to ours it is incredibly radical and very beautiful. As you read the book Shane takes you on a journey with him to Calcutta, Wall street, Willow Creek, and the inner streets of Philly and gives you a chance to see what he was doing and most importantly to meet the people that changed his life.

I don't want to give to much of the book away because it is better to read and experience it for the first time, but be prepared to feel either guilt or conviction. I don't think it is Shane's goal to make others feel guilty, but it is hard not too. As you read about His story you will become incredibly inspired and also begin to feel guilty that you have not sold all your possessions to live in a community in inner Philly, or that you are not living for people the way that he is.

Do not allow yourselves to just stop at feeling inspired and guilty though, take those feelings and change them! Go out and find ways to love those that are not being loved, treat them like Jesus would. I don't believe you need to sell all you have live like Jesus, I just believe you need put Jesus and others above all the stuff you have. If there is a struggle for power between our possession and others than maybe we do need to sell it and give the money away. I truly believe though that if we live like Jesus told us too in Matthew 25 than our possessions will hold no power over us.

When we bring the unloved into our homes, when we visit the hurting in prison, when we feed the hungry we are doing exactly what Christ asked us too. The more we put others before ourselves the more it becomes a way of life, and the more we will want nothing but Jesus and the community of love known as the Church.