“Gentle and Lowly” Review
“Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund was a book I had heard so many people talk about and recommend, but I had never read it myself until this summer. Reading this book was so refreshing and deeply encouraging to my heart as I go into a new academic year.
“Gentle and Lowly” is written to draw us into the heart of who Christ really is. Maybe this is something you have never really thought about – you know who Jesus is, but do you know what His heart is like?
Dane Ortlund bases this book on Matthew 11:28-29, in which Jesus says he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” He so beautifully shows us that it is from this heart that Christ acts towards us. So often we have such a wrong view of Christ’s heart. We know that he loved us so much that he died for us, but does he still love me now, even in the sin and doubt that I still find myself in? Dane Ortlund so beautifully shows that it is at this point that Jesus’ heart reaches out to us most. He is gentle and lowly and stoops down into our brokenness and weakness to restore us. It is in these places that God’s grace is most clearly seen and enjoyed.
“With Christ, our sins and weaknesses are the very resumé items that qualify us to approach Him” pg 64.
Maybe, as you have started university, you have made some choices that you know have led you away from God, or you have been struggling to see God’s love as you have moved to a new place, have struggled to settle in, and things have been difficult. It is often during these times that we are prone to turn away from God and to convince ourselves that He still doesn’t love us. This book is so helpful in showing us who God really is and what naturally flows from His heart. Here we see a God who loves, who is a friend and who will never let go of His children.
I recommend you read this book, made up of 23 short chapters, slowly and allow God to show you His heart and let it impact your life as you go through this year!
