Member Reviews
This is a serviceable devotion. It was not my favorite, but it is certainly a decent one. I just wasn't wowed by it.
I only made it to the second devotional before I found content that isn't supported biblically. The supposition by this author directly contradicts scripture, specifically Genesis 1:27, that "male and female He created them."
Author's thoughts:
"The Hebrew word translated in Genesis as "man" before the woman is created is a different word than translated as "man" after the woman is created. The first term, Adam, can be read as gender-neutral: the human. So I invite you to consider this first human as many-gendered. The person whom God forms from the dust and breathes life into (Genesis 2:7) encompasses the fullness of humanity. As the first human carries no particular gender identity, they therefore carry all genders. And so we see that women have been in the wilderness since creation."
Let me clarify, that as the author says the term "adam" can be gender-neutral, it is often translated "people" or human beings," to include both men and women, NOT that "the first human is many-gendered."
This devotional does not have a biblical worldview, and I will not be reading further. Do NOT recommend.
The Lenten journey provides a space for reflection and preparation for the resurrection of Jesus. In Prone to Wander, Joanna Harader uses the imagery of wilderness to showcase how God stepped into the lives of each woman in the Bible, helping them to navigate their way in the own private wildernesses.
Through daily scripture readings, reflections and suggested spiritual practices, we are encouraged to view the wilderness as a sacred space. While oftentimes threatening, the wilderness can also be a holy space where women can encounter their full selves and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I loved the beautiful imagery throughout the devotion – both in word and art – and how this rich imagery calls us to understand that, even in deprivation and disorientation, we can find deep provision and clarity.
I look forward to revisiting this book during the season of Lent and encourage others to pick this up for the 40-day journey as well.
Thank you to Joanna Harader, Herald Press and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book for an honest review.
I would read this again during Lent!
I love how the author brings in each story of each woman and carefully describes how God stepped into their story and redirected them in their own private wilderness.
I was so excited about this devotional as the cover, title/subtitle and description really intrigued me. I got through week 3 and did not continue. I really like the set up of the daily devotion. It has a great flow and it really does allow for the space to think about the reading and the connection. After the first week I started to struggle with the Reflect sections. I had a really difficult time of connecting the information back to the reading and the wilderness theme. It felt like a lot of the reflect was a personal opinion vs. theological perspective. I continued through week 2 and 3 and lost interest in continuing the devotion.
This Lenten devotional is very well laid out. Each weekday starts with the reading of a scripture, followed by a reflection. There are then sections to encourage you to connect to the lesson and consider its application and significance. Each Sunday has a blessing that reflects on the week’s lessons. There is also a detailed guide near the end to allow for a group to use this book for study together. While I don’t practice Lent, I was encouraged by the lives of the women mentioned and learned a number of interesting things while reading. I would definitely recommend-read this devotional again in the future.