Doing Hard Things

My last posting was a review of Joshua Harris' book, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is). It just so happens that Josh has two younger, 19-year-old twin brothers, Alex and Brett Harris, who have just recently come out with a book of their own. It is written primarily for teens and is entitled Do Hard Things.

The Lord has been doing a work in my daughter Megan's heart, and she read this book in order that she might be encouraged, strengthened, and challenged in her walk with Christ. Megan told me how much she enjoyed the book, and I asked her if she would mind writing her own review of it. Megan graciously consented (despite all the other schoolwork she had to do!), and the following represents, in Megan's own words, her thoughts on the book:

When I was asked to read Alex and Brett Harris’s Do Hard Things, I just put it on my list of things to do. Reluctantly willing to spare a few moments reading it, I sat down with the book in my hand and read the first sentence. Transfixed, I finished the book in a little over two hours.

What Alex and Brett confronted our teenage generation on was simply this: exceeding low expectations. These expectations were placed upon us by average, everyday individuals who have underestimated what we teens are capable of, and our generation has now lowered themselves to settling with embarrassingly low expectations. According to one researcher mentioned in the book, these so called “expectations” consist of completing a daily chore (such as taking out the trash), cleaning our room with no help from parents, and making sure the gas gauge stays above a quarter of a tank. Alex and Brett’s argument: do all that you are capable of to the best of your ability for Christ’s glorification. Not only do Alex and Brett encourage you to do “big hard things”, such as fighting AIDS or raising money for third world countries; but they plead with you to start with the “small hard things”. These include daily devotional time, exercising regularly, and getting to bed on time. These are activities that do not gain immediate gain or satisfaction, but will launch your ability to “do hard things”!

I enjoyed Do Hard Things immensely, and I would recommend it to any teenager… any teenager who isn’t afraid of a challenge! The challenge you are faced with after reading this book is this: will you exceed the low expectations placed upon you and do hard things for God? The hard part is figuring out what hard things God has called you to do, and doing them! I too, am faced with this challenge as I am writing this, and I am continuing to seek God’s guidance through communing with Him through His Word and in prayer. As Alex and Brett put it “most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you…and even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And even if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do.”

I want to thank Megan for taking the time to share her thoughts. We would like to hear yours, too! What do you think about this whole idea of "doing hard things" for God?
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