Author stresses the importance of common sense in knowing God’s will

Kevin DeYoung, pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., and co-author of last year’s Why We’re Not Emergent (Moody Publishers), has a message in the form of a book for young people waiting for a sign to help them with big decisions—Just Do Something.

While accessible for all age groups, DeYoung’s book targets 18-35 readers who are facing life-altering choices and struggling with the concept of God’s will. With his church located across the street from Michigan State University, the author frequently encounters youthful seekers questioning their life journeys.

“I want people to experience the (usually) slow-growing work of the Spirit in their lives,” he told Christian Retailing. “The mark of the Spirit is fruit and godly character, not mountaintop experiences and strong impressions.”

DeYoung stressed that he is not “anti-experience” but really wants Christians not to have “misplaced guilt” because they feel “ordinary,” which is where most Christians live day to day. Instead, he said God expects believers to pray for and use wisdom rather than relying on, as the subtitle humorously states, “ ... random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky.”

In his own decision-making, the author said he prays for God to “purify my motives, show me my sin, help me be honest about myself and with myself, and have wisdom to see the situation at hand clearly.”

Facing a decision whether or not to accept a new church pastorate in 2004, DeYoung said he prayed “that I would not go because of pride, or stay because of fear, and that I would have an accurate sense of the church I was going to and they would have an accurate sense of who I was. I prayed for wisdom, not for direction.”

Moody Publishers is planning a national marketing campaign that includes e-mail and blog elements as well as promotion at the key theology conferences New Attitude, Together 4 the Gospel and the Gospel Coalition.

For more information or to order, call Moody Publishers at 800-678-8812, or visit www.moodypublishers.org.

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