THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
Theo of Golden
My genre of reading doesn’t include a lot of fiction novels. However, Patty received a New York Times Bestseller from our daughter-in-law which she couldn’t put down and she kept telling me, “you have to read this.” So one day when she was out I cracked open the book and for the next 6 days I was completely mesmerized.
Theo of Golden is not only a literary masterpiece which may go down as one of the most moving writings in our time, but it also shares a message desperately needed in our chaotic culture. Here is a brief summary from the back cover of the book:
“A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen. Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.”
Both Patty and I were at a loss when we finished the book, but we found solace in the many hours of discussion and reflection on the Biblical themes flowing through it.
One of those themes which captivated me from the start was the prominence of rivers highlighted from the beginning to the end of the book. It made me think of one of the greatest Biblical events in history, which the church will soon celebrate, Pentecost. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out like a mighty rushing river flooding the earth with the Father’s glorious life changing love.
Over and over again as I read Theo of Golden I was brought back to Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the Temple into a life changing river bringing life to parched souls:
“And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish…everything will live where the river goes…And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:9-12
As I pondered this amazing novel I thought about all the Theo’s in my life who played a part in the River of pointing me to the Father’s kindness, generosity and love. How today we need people whose hearts are rivers of His grace bringing them to eat from the TREE of Life, our healing Savior Jesus.
This thought provoking novel illustrates a beautiful portrait of what it is like to produce a fruitful life and flourish even in the midst of living in challenging circumstances. The vision given is both simple and profound and so needed in our world. I truly hope you will consider picking up a copy of this book and experience it’s timely and prophetic message.
