I’m not a big reader of books these days, but every now and then I’m led to a book in a strange way where the book itself ends up truly inspiring and uplifting me. The latest one to do this was “Joshua”, a novel by Joseph Girzone.
How I came across “Joshua” began all the way back in February. I had just finished reading a decent story a friend had given me that paralleled much of the healing journey I’ve been on and began looking for something new to take with me on vacation. Because I’m not an avid reader and often get easily bored with many of the things I do read, I’m not the kind of person these days who just buys or downloads any specific book. That’s why I usually pray now for guidance from God on even the simplest of things such as the next book for me to read, as so far in doing so, it has led me to several incredible finds. The last time this happened was with a book titled “The Shack” by William P. Young.
Nevertheless, nothing came to me in regards to my next read prior to or during my vacation. Nor did anything come my way during all of March or April, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to pray for the next book to come into my life. And then one day I randomly asked a friend in early May if he had any book suggestions. At first he didn’t, but as he was getting ready to hang up the phone, one came to mind. He said the title was “Joshua”. While that in itself didn’t peak my interest, as so many have recommended books to me before, what did was something that happened two days later. My best friend had just come from a free giveaway at the local library and said a book jumped out at him. And wouldn’t you know it, it was the same book, “Joshua”.
I tend to feel that when things like this come in multiple occurrences in short periods of time, it’s my Higher Power sending me a message. So I immediately ordered the book from Amazon and began reading it as soon as it came in the mail. The story itself is a fictionalized approach on what it would be like if Jesus came back in modern day. In this case, Jesus returns as a man named Joshua in a small town named Salem, which is actually a community in upstate New York. It didn’t take long for me to be extremely moved by this book, in fact it was hard to put it down and digest what I had read so far. When I finished the last page, torrents of tears gushed out of my eyes and it was then I was fully convinced God had led me to this book that was written so long ago (1983).
I’m now reading the second book in the series as there are a number of them and it too is fast becoming another great read. While I believe that not every book that moves one person will move another, I do know that God works in mysterious ways to answer prayers. In this case, I have no doubt that God led me to “Joshua.”
So if you are looking for something to read that might inspire and uplift you, you could read “Joshua” or, you could do what I did instead and pray. Pray that God guides you to the book that God wants you to read. You never know, it may be one that will change your life like “Joshua” did for me…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
