User:Rovinjoshua/Don't Waste Your Life (Book)

Don't Waste Your Life (Book) Don’t Waste Your Life is a best-selling book by Pastor and Theologian John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Don’t Waste Your Life was initially published in 2003 by Crossway books and the publisher has since then re-published Group Study Editions in 2007 and 2009. In 2007, it sold over 500,000 copies, achieving the Gold Book Award recognized by the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association).



Summary
The book consists of ten life-challenging, reality-striking chapters including a preface dedicated to Christians and Non-Christians alike. In this preface, it essentially outlines the core of the book and what Piper’s goal is through writing Don’t Waste Your Life. Piper writes, “The Bible says, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I have written this book to help you taste those words as sweet instead of bitter or boring.” (Piper). Through each of the ten chapters, starting with chapter one (My Search for a Single Passion to Live By) all the way to the culminating tenth chapter (My Prayer –Let None Say in the End “I’ve Wasted It”), Piper examines the question that has been asked from generation to generation: “Why am I here?” He uses examples of his own personal journey as well as portraits of the lives of others. He distinguishes between a life of risk and life lived without it – and what stark difference it is. John Piper writes, "I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells. . . .' Picture them before Christ at the great Day of Judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy.” (goodreads.com). Don’t Waste Your Life is call to do just that. This is a plea to a generation. This is a plea to make life count; Not for temporal, “fatal” success, but for things of eternal weight and value. “Remember, you have one life. That’s all. You were made for God. Don’t waste it.” (Piper).

Reviews/Reception
''“Don’t Waste Your Life is a powerful reminder of who I am, why I am here, and what I’m called to do and be. This is a powerful book to put into the hands of older high school students and college-aged young adults as they embark on the process of preparation for their life vocation.”'' – Walt Mueller, CPYU.org

''“This book will warn you not to get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. It will challenge you to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion. If you believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain, read this book, learn to live for Christ, and don't waste your life”'' – GOODREADS.com

''“Now despite my difficulty in reading this book, there is much of value within it. Piper has many good things to say about living a life that is sold out to God. He gives a lot of useful, practical guidance on living a life passionately devoted to displaying God’s excellence in every area of our lives…So what can I say? While I benefitted from the teaching of this book and know many others have as well, I simply did not enjoy reading it. However, I know that the fault for that lies with me. Therefore, I will recommend this book, knowing that so many have benefitted from it.”'' – Tim Challies, Discerningreader.com