Reviewed by: G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University, Upland, IN

Introduction

Title: The Making of Us: Who We Can Become When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Author: Sheridan Voysey

Publisher: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson)

Publication Date: 2019

Format: Paperback

Length: 240 pages

OVERVIEW

Sheridan Voysey and his wife Merryn spent years trying to have children, only to finally realize it would never happen. After that, they moved from Australia to England so Merryn could pursue her second dream. Sheridan knew he made the right choice, but it meant giving up a radio broadcasting job he loved, and after two years in England he still couldn’t figure out who he was anymore. So, he took a walk. This book chronicles the eight-day trek he took with a friend, retracing the steps of medieval monk Cuthbert as they discussed questions about work, calling and what really defines a person’s life.

This book combines theology reflections with descriptions of Voysey’s hiking trip, so readers will need to enjoy reading memoirs to get to the religious takeaways. However, that combination works very well because the memoir elements fit the theological themes. Voysey describes the exhaustion and challenges of hiking while meditating on the exhaustion and challenges of finding one’s true identity after a crisis. The answers he ends up giving are tough but powerful, because he refuses to settle for shallow answers as he considers his struggles as well as what he went through with his wife.

The final result is a convicting and compelling look at finding peace in God amidst trials, even when the things that define a person get stripped away.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians seeking guidance on how to find their calling, Christians who are trying to get through personal crises.

Christian Impact

This book will help Christians who struggle to find their calling or thought they had one and life has taken unexpected directions. It will also inspire people who’ve generally gone through difficult periods and don’t know who they are anymore.

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