Gire shares biblical examples of those who could be
categorized as “outsiders” including Christ Himself who was “despised and
rejected by men, a Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief.” If our Master spent significant amounts of
time with the prostitutes, thieves and prodigals of His day, shouldn’t we as
His followers do the same?
We, in the Church, can make ourselves so comfortable with
the insiders that we lose sight of those who struggle each day to survive. We must go “outside the camp” with and for
Him to listen to and care for those who’ve been forgotten by mainstream
society.
Gire reinforces the fact that God is in relentless pursuit
of us, all of us, because He created us and desires a relationship with
us. He includes the classic poetic work
by Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven, which relates the Spirit of God’s
pursuit of man and our efforts to shake Him off. Thompson himself was an addict, an “outsider” who knew the shame
of being out of the mainstream.
Gire admits his struggle with the story of the Good Shepherd
leaving the ninety-nine sheep who were safe in the fold to rescue the lost
one. Why would He, Jesus, risk losing
those who were insiders, safe at home, to find that one “outsider”? Because of His deep, redeeming love!
In the midst of our hurt and shame, God welcomes us with all
of our imperfections and invites us to eat at His table as redeemed
“outsiders”.
Those readers who expect a “Systematic Theology” in every
Christian book they read will be disappointed.
Detractors will say that Gire shares too many personal experiences and,
in doing so, becomes too subjective. I
disagree. I found myself relating to
the author as he opened his heart and became transparent.
If you are content to enjoy your circle of “inside” friends
and you’re hesitant to step outside to engage with the less fortunate and those
often labeled and “undesirables” you might read a chapter or two then set the
book aside. But, if you are willing to
take the risk and obey Christ’s call to go “outside”, you will see how
rewarding it is to show love to the unlovely.
I’ve read several of Gire’s earlier offerings but connected
with Relentless Pursuit on a deeper level.
This book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House
Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, and Graf-Martin
Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House
Publishers". http://www.grafmartin.com/
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