It has been a great debate recently in the Christian church--what is the primary need of people around us? Should the priority of Christians be sharing the Gospel, or should it be working to care for the needy and bring about social justice around the world? David Platt carefully wades into this debate by inviting us to join him on a trek through the Himalaya mountains as he visits remote villages and comes face to face with the needs and challenges experienced by those who live there. As he meets people who are struggling with curable diseases, getting sick from the lack of clean drinking water, or being preyed upon by human traffickers, Platt wrestles with what it means for him and his beliefs as a follower of Jesus. How could a good and just God allow so much suffering? Why does God allow some people to have so much while others have so little? Does the Gospel have any real power to make a difference in the midst of such difficult circumstances?

Something Needs to Change is an intimate glimpse into the journal of a pastor who is grappling with difficult questions. This is not a weighty theology book laying out arguments for different aspects of the Christian faith, but rather, it's a raw and emotional plea to Christians to move toward the tragedies and brokenness of our world with compassion, love, and mercy that can only come from our hope in Christ.

If you read this book, prepare to be challenged. There are sections that felt acutely uncomfortable to me because it becomes clear that so many of us have the means to make a difference, but we either don't think about helping or choose not to help. Responding to the challenge laid out by Platt to make a real change in how we live our lives won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight, but it's worth it to press in and be open to making changes to our daily lives in order to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people around us.

A big thank you to David Platt, Multnomah, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!