The Shack
by William P. Young
Windblown Media, Los Angeles, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9647292-3-0
Every now and again a book comes along that just inspires us and changes or shapes us in some way. This book has done that (and then some) for me! In the story, Mack, who is a Christian, experiences a tragedy involving one of his children which triggers a deterioration in his spiritual life. He receives a note from God asking him to spend the weekend with him. What enfolds is an encounter with God resulting in much inner healing. This book shows us that we have a God who is very much present in the midst of tragedy rather than a deistic God who is indifferent or even leaves us to our own devices. We learn what the author believes is the true character of God, not an angry distant God but a joyful relational God. Mack comes to see that he does not have to perform for or measure up to God's unreachable standards to receive His love but that he IS loved in Jesus, and life is based on His work in and through our lives! The Shack is a metaphor for a place where we get hurt or stuck in life’s disappointments, hurt and pain. The book will take you to a place outside `religion`, to a place of personal relationship with a perfect loving father. God is much bigger than you thought! His behaviour is uncertain but his character is absolutely certain. Oh, sorry to ruin the surprise but all my friends are getting a copy for Christmas if you didn't already get one for your birthday! The Shack offers one of the most intense views of God and how he relates to mankind. It is certainly a very thought provoking and contemplative read. There are several people in the church community who have already read and been inspired by The Shack and they have kindly written a few words to hopefully inspire you too. Their thoughts follow below.
People are asking whether this book is fact or fiction, or whether it might be part fact and part fiction. For me, the answer is, “who cares?” If it is not fact, if it is fiction, then it is fiction which I WANT to be fact. This book portrays a God that I can relate to. It is what I WANT God to be like. Don’t you want a God that will reach out to you? Don’t you want a God who will say “I know that you are hurting. I know the sorrow that you carry and it hurts me to see you like that. I feel your pain. Come to me and let me show you the path to healing”? In this story God reaches out to Mack; He takes a broken man, reveals himself and His love for that man, and makes him whole again. It is a story that reminds me of the words of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel, one of my favourite scripture verses; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Yes! That’s the God I want! This book drew me closer to God and helped me to see how much God loves me.
The Shack has also changed the way that I pray. I used to, at times, wonder who I was praying to; was I praying to God the Father, was I praying to Jesus, or was I praying to the Holy Spirit? I guess I have tended to “spread the load”, at times praying to the Father, at other times addressing Jesus, Lord, and at other times praying to the Holy Spirit and asking for guidance, and for an outpouring of the Spirit upon me. I have been naïve. For the first time, I now have some understanding of the relationship of love which exists within the Trinity. It is absolutely certain that my understanding still is imperfect, but it is as if I now cannot separate the three, that they co-exist so closely and with such love that the three truly are one God. And do you know why they exist within that union? Because that’s what I need! I need a God who encapsulates all three of those natures, and anything else would be an inadequate and poor imitation of my God.
There will be times, when reading this book, that you will just sit there and say “Wow!” There will be times when you will laugh and there will certainly be times when you will cry. But, whatever you do, just read it! If you read just one book this year, make it The Shack.
You cannot read this book without being touched by the author's ability to express the very heights and depths of man's emotions in the face of tragedy, love and reconciliation. He writes of God's love and healing while explaining His grace and presence in a way which captures the reader's imagination while clarifying many of those "God" questions. This book will touch your heart, as well as change how you see yourself in relationship to others and the great 'I Am'.
Although portrayed as a work of fiction it is very easy to believe this as a book of truth with the unfurling of events. From a tragedy comes the soul's questioning and doubting of God and His wisdom, adaption to life and the ensuing struggle of coping with acts of living, often being encompassed by "The Great Sadness" What develops for the lead character, 'Mackenzie', is a memorable emotional weekend where he is mentally and emotionally challenged to the point of exhaustion leading to a unique experience of belief, love and ultimate trust in God. Many questions are answered and he becomes a very different person as a result of his journey with three beautiful characters whom he meets at the shack, each with their own wonderful individual personality and sense of humour. The Shack, whether it be fact or fiction, is a recommended read for anyone seeking guidance, confirmation or enlightenment of their faith.