Something Needs to Change

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!

If you're happy with the status quo and you're not ready for your life to be turned upside down, then don't pick up David Platt's latest book, Something Needs to Change. But, if you're ready to be challenged and you're ready for that next step, it just might be what you've been waiting for to nudge you in that direction.

Something Needs to Change journals Platt's life-altering Himalayan trek that brought him in contact with poverty, human trafficking, health crises, and the beautiful church of Jesus. It's the very trek that led Platt and his family to make their lives a blank check for God to use as He wills. As Platt vividly describes his experiences on the mountain trek, you encounter the people he encounters, and you struggle with the experiences he struggles with, and you ask God the same questions he asks. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll question, and you'll sit in awe and wonder along with Platt as he sees how God uses his regular Bible readings to speak into each day's adventures. You'll marvel at God's handiwork, and you'll likely desire for God to speak to you in the same way. And you'll likely end the book thinking the same thing Platt does, that Something Needs to Change. And if God touches your heart as I imagine he will, you won't be able to stay the same after reading this book.

Note: I received a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

A literary journey through the Himilayas that will literally change your perspective on life. In Something Needs to Change, David Platt takes readers through a week of hiking the the small, remote villages in the Himalayan mountains. As he wrestles with the goodness, justness and saving grace of God amongst a mostly unreached people, he invites us to do the same. Platt also helps us dissect the urgency of physical needs and spiritual needs, and why one comes before the other. If you truly read this book with open ears and open hearts, you will not walk away the same. Something needs to change is an honest call to action for believers.

A journey deep into the remote villages of the Himalayan mountains, "Something Needs to Change" shows us an up-close view of the poverty and need in the region. Platt describes in detail each day of his journey - hiking from village to village on mountain paths with a small group of other hikers. He shares his bible reading, devotions, and journaling that he does along the way. Platt asks many questions but does not find all the answers. He inspires and encourages us to ask the same questions of ourselves and our lives. What are we going to change to make a difference in the lives of our suffering neighbors? "Something Needs to Change" is honest, compelling, and well worth your read.