Chazown by Craig Groeschel

Everyone is born with a purpose and Craig Groeschel is passionate about helping each of us find out exactly what that purpose (Chazown) is and how to best accomplish it. The book explains that Chazown is the Hebrew word for a dream, revelation or vision. Craig Groeschel goes on further to explain that we each have a specific Chazown for our lives but most of us live each day having no idea what it is. The author uses a quote from Sir Francis Drake that i find quite inspiring and sums up the author desire for his readers:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord.

This should be the prayer of every Christian who truly believes in the power and promises of God!

Chazown is a very methodical book. Chapter by chapter is helps you to not only understand your Chazown but also how to design a strategy for accomplishing it. This is done through exercises that will help you to know yourself better by exploring your spiritual gifts, core beliefs, and past experiences in addition to setting long and short term goals. Myself, being an A Type personality, really enjoyed this book. I am a list maker, I love charts and graphs and personal discovery. However, if you are not that type of personality you may find this book to be nothing more than work.

While I did really enjoy this book I have to admit that the last half of the book lost me. It was very well written and it is necessary information but I do not agree with the author in his belief that in order to accomplish the purpose for your life you must first have these last few items in order. I do not believe that a person has to be perfect before God will or can use them. In fact, I believe quite the opposite. The Bible is riddled with people who in fact did not have every part of their lives in order. I firmly believe that each one of us is designed with our own specific purpose for our lives. I also believe that we would all be much happier and treat others better if we knew what our purpose was and were busy accomplishing it. With that being said, if we all must wait until we have the smaller things in life perfect like our work, relationships with people and health then we will spend all of our time working on those things and never getting around to accomplishing our vision.

This is a very good book but I encourage you as the reader not to get bogged down in the last half by believing that you must accomplish those things mentioned there before understanding or pursuing your purpose in life.

Chazown by Craig Groeschel (Chapter 1)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”