“…becoming Second isn’t the journey of perfected saints or of superhero believers. It is the honest, raw and often painful journey of broken people who have decided that life is not about them.”
I had heard of I Am Second before I had actually read this title. One day I had stumbled across their website and watched several of the testimonies each of these big names in sports, television, and business were sharing. It was certainly some very powerful stuff!
I saw the book and new I wanted to read it and see who else is participating in this movement.
The quote that I started off with is the basis for what this book is about. It is about finding yourself at a place where you have to choose to put God ahead of yourself and be broken and humble enough to put yourself second.
The book is broken by each individual sharing a little about their testimonies and how they finally realized that they could not win their battles on their own and they needed Jesus Christ in their lives. They had just about every earthly thing they could possibly want but there was still a void that was not filled.
There are lots of celebrities participating in the movement. Some of those included in the book are: Brian “Head” Welch, Josh Hamilton, Tony Dungy, Bethany Hamilton, and many others.
The book is a quick read. I love the way God works in our lives, and how He has a plan for each and every one of us. This book is definitely proof of that! We are all tools for the kingdom no matter what we are doing or where we are.
However, with this being a small book each testimony is really short. Most of which is dedicated to all the bad of what each of these individuals went through. I know that is a big part of a testimony, but to only give a few sentences at the end to God. I am just saying that I wish there was more of a balance I guess. At least let the book be longer so more can be dedicated in that area.
One of the main things did like and notice in the book is in most if not all of the testimonies there was a friend or family member in each of these people’s lives that stood by them through their darkest of days. I think that is one of the biggest things that I was able to take from this book. Not matter how insignificant you may feel in the lives of a friend or family member it just shows you how much just being there and encouraging them makes a difference.
All in all I would have liked this book to be a lot more than what it was. I would have liked it to go deeper. I like the movement these popular celebrities and sports figures are starting to spread the news of their faith. I just wish the book would have would have went deeper into their stories. Instead, you get what you can go access on their site through the videos they have posted.
I like what I Am Second is doing, but wish they would have done more with their book!
Have you read this book? What did you think?
Official Website: I Am Second
This book was reviewed without compensation from the publisher. Please see disclosure policy for more information.
Austin Ruhoff (1)
Not only did I just read it but will be posting my review of it tonight at 10:00.
Nice review Bill. Enjoyed it. I think the main point of the book of putting yourself second behind God is very important. A lot of good testimonies. I think it is great for someone like yourself who does not watch a lot of the online videos available at their site.
Haven’t read the book, but have seen a lot of the videos. Pretty cool stuff.
I even remember seeing billboards for the website while driving in Texas a couple years back.
That is pretty cool. Texas is were Josh Hamilton plays (awesome story). Wonder of that has anything to do with it?