Wide Awake

To each of His children God has given a task to accomplish in the days that remain before He returns or calls them home. Some call it a purpose, others a calling. McManus calls it a dream. And the dream that God assigns you may be seem significant in the world's eyes, bringing visibility and notoriety, or it may seem insignificant in the world's eyes and escape everyone's notice, except God's. The important first step is to determine in your own heart to pursue the dream that God gives you and not demand that God join your personal dream. At the end of the day, success will be measured by your faithfulness to God's leading. For those who would dare to dream God's dream, McManus gives eight imperatives to follow: dream, discover, adapt, expect, focus, create, enjoy, and invest. And with each of these, McManus unpacks important principles: become a person of godly character; don't complain, find solutions to problems; adapt to circumstances without compromising convictions; learn to see from God's perspective, and others. Well-written, McManus uses a lot of Scripture to draw out his ideas, from both Old and New Testaments. Lots of personal illustrations make the ideas live and breathe. McManus' years of leadership in a risk-taking, cutting-edge ministry have prepared him to write this book. I disagreed with a few of McManus' ideas and explanations but found most to be solid and challenging. Men and women who are mature and are mentoring younger believers should read this book, because the eight imperatives and their corresponding Bible passages will provide excellent talking points for them to discuss with those they mentor or disciple.

This was the first book that I've read from Erwin McManus and it's great. I've already purchased five additional copies to share and give to others!

Erwin McManus' book Wide Awake is an easy read with deep messages. Scriptually based Erwin guides the reader through a process of searching for the dreams and plans the Lord has for you!

Erwin McManus was a special guest professor in the very first course I took at Bethel University - Seminary in St Paul, MN. He set a very high standard for all who followed. I have quoted from and recommended his book "Seizing Your Divine Moment" for many years. In "Wide Awake" McManus calls Biblical Christians (not mere religious church attenders but genuine followers of Jesus of the Bible) to seize the challenge of a life of purpose in partnership with the God of creation and the One who loves and values them like no other. He is no mere motivational speaker, no puffed-up politician spewing platitudes and promises they have no ability (let alone intent) to keep, and no legalist or televangelist who has lost sight of the true message of the Bible. McManus is the real deal; humble, humorous, and transparently human. Our church is filled with broken people; divorced, recovering from addictions, survivors of abuse and neglect, unemployed and underemployed, orphans and castaways, struggling with their relationships with others and with God. This book speaks the hope of God into their lives as no government program or rah-rah political rally or secular motivational pep talk could ever do - it is the pure truth of God! God sees every man, woman, and child as filled with opportunities to make a positive difference out of the abundance of love He wants to pour into (and through) them - no matter their temporary circumstances. The change that matters will never come from a politicians campaign rhetoric or some musicians magical-thinking song or a manipulative commercial - the change that matters comes one heart at a time as we turn away from "chasing the wind" and live the intentionally inspiring "Wide Awake" dream that God longs to place in each of our hearts. Thank you Irwin for another great book - it is a word from God through your writing.

This book is for the depressed. This book is for those who feel they are trapped in the mundane. This book is for those who feel they are just slogging through life, not really experiencing, not really living. McManus inspires, pushes, compels, and challenges you to dream, explore, create, adapt, and live your life. In Wide Awake, McManus connects living life to the fullest to the teachings of Christ. So often we think that our Christian lives should muted, reverent, holy, and that we should just step back and let God control our lives. McManus reminds us that Christ came to bring life, and life more abundant, and that we could be living our life to the fullest. The author does challenge some commonly held ideas in mainstream Christianity. Even if you don't agree with everything McManus says, Wide Awake will challenge you to rethink your philosophy of life and your purpose for living. A must-read for every Christian!