A Place at the Table: A Review

I wonder if the vast of majority of Christians have actually sought to identify with the poor and needy?  I mean, I'm sure many have - or at least support the idea - or at least talk about supporting the idea.  But I wonder if many have actually done it?

There seems to me at least to have been a push in recent years within the Christian community for "social justice".  (As an aside, that on the surface seems quite sad to me.  Even a cursory reading of Scripture would lead anyone to believe that this should be something the Church should be deeply invested in.)  And at the same time there has been a push back to safeguard doctrine and gospel integrity.  Basically saying that to feed the hungry physically apart from feeding them spiritually is tantamount to sending someone to Hell with a full stomach.  To which I would agree.  The problem, however, is that sharing the gospel with the hungry and leaving them "hungry" is just as wrong.

"A Place at the Table; 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor", by Chris Seay, "invites you on a journey of self-examination, discipline, and renewed focus on Jesus that will change your life forever."  Well at least that's what the book promises on the back cover.  So does it live up to the billing?  In short, for me, yes it did.  Personally, it struck a healthy balance on the above mentioned tension.  As for a review, I am finding it very difficult to write one.  The book really isn't a book (if that makes any sense at all).  It is more of a devotional guide.  And rather than a focus on the poor and needy, I found it to be more pointed at me, the reader.  Indeed, as stated, that is the purpose.

There are plenty of resources available to help on the "journey" as well. (Full disclosure...I didn't view any of the resources while reading for review purposes, because I read it in 3 days.  But, if one was to take 40 days to fully participate, I think they would be beneficial.)

Now, I am fully aware that this wasn't much of an in-depth review as far as likes and dislikes (there were a couple).  So let me just close with this...

At the beginning of Day 13 in the book, the author quotes Blaise Pascal saying, "All of man's misfortune comes from one thing, which is not knowing how to sit quietly in a room."  That has stuck with me.  "A Place at the Table" forced me to sit quietly and reflect on my walk, and I didn't like what I was "hearing".  The book spoke to me, pastorally, and I trust by God's grace has changed me.  I am thankful to have read it and would recommend it.

Here is a trailer...

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".