Something Needs to Change

Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need By David Platt / Multnomah

This title is a must read. The message is timely. If you’ve been lukewarm about missions, this book will change your outlook. It’s realistic and compels you to consider the urgency of meeting the world’s spiritual needs. I have family members and acquaintances who have devoted good portions of their adult lives to missions. I thought of their commitment and heart for missions on nearly every page. Now I understand more clearly why they’re so passionate about bringing the gospel message to non-believers.

I appreciate how David Platt addresses how church families’ priorities can be skewed toward wrong priorities. I’ll confess that I’m guilty of thinking my church needs just one more really great youth program, or women’s program, or social media presence to bring people in the door and fill the pews. These may be important outreach tools, but as Platt points out these are not essential traits of a church according to the Bible. His list of essential traits totals 8, and the top 3 are Preach His Word, Share the gospel, Pray fervently and frequently.

I wasn’t so sure what to expect once I realized as a reader I was going to follow Platt and his hiking team through the harsh and rugged Himalayan peaks and villages. At points the content was difficult. I appreciate that such tough subjects were handled with care.

David Platt surely excels as a writer in this book. Each chapter is a polished gem with an important message for Christians. Platt addresses how people must assess how best to use their God given talents for the Lord. He is careful to emphasize how a well thought out plan is needed before launching into action. This preparation is important because poorly thought out plans aren’t sustainable. Likewise he encourages Christians to fully prepare themselves spiritually prior to following a gospel spreading path.

His prose never meanders. It’s concise but also lyrical. I really enjoyed his well written conclusion. Something Needs to Change is an engaging book, you will find impossible to put down. Once you’ve arrived at the end, you’ll take Platt’s message to heart.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.