Crossway:IVP / 9781844742493 / paperback / 174pp / £9.99

5 stars

You will seldom read a book that causes you to think as much as this one. Author Ajith Fernando has directed Youth For Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976. He and his wife minister to the urban poor – so you know that pain is never far away in their daily lives. He divides the book into four sections effectively showing that Suffering and Joy are basic to Christianity, they bring us closer to Christ, it helps the Church and encourages our servanthood. “Not everyone grows, as they should, to maturity”, he writes, “But that should not be the case. It is not excusable. We cannot rest until all are discipled to maturity.” The book is realistic stating that servanthood can make you tired but “when we get close to people, we learn about the issues they face and then labour to see how we can apply biblical truth to their lives.” Joy, yes! But, Pain too is part of the deal when you serve Christ.