Something Needs to Change {Review}

While on an eight day trek through the Himalayas, David Platt comes face to face with some of the most dramatic poverty in the world.  His book, Something Needs to Change, is the chronicling and wrestling that resulted from that trip.  Encountering such extreme depravity (lose of an eye due to infection, trafficked children as a result of hunger, dark spiritual warfare) leaves Platt wondering, "Where is God in the midst of all this?  And where is the church?" An honest, heart felt reflection on his own life has him asking, "Do I really practice what I preach?"

On the one hand, I appreciate Platt's honesty.  In reading this book, one can easily see that he's wrestling through his own beliefs and limitations.  Written in journal style, Something Needs to Change includes Platt's own scripture reading throughout the trip, as well as his notes and prayers.  On the other hand, the author left me feeling flat, hopeless, and confused.  Even he is at a loss of where to go from here.  How am I supposed to have the answers?  While in some ways this allows the Lord to work in each individual heart, it can also be a stumbling block toward actually doing anything.  I was left feeling hopeless.  While his experience certainly changed him, it didn't translate well for me.  Overall, I was just frustrated with the book and really wouldn't recommend it.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.