CHASING DAYLIGHT

Seize the Power of Every Moment

review by

Larry Shallenberger

CHASING DAYLIGHT: Seize the Power of Every Moment

by Erwin Raphael McManus

(Thomas Nelson)

Reader Appeal: Teens and Adults

Genre: Religion / Spirituality

Chasing Daylight: Seizing the Power of Every Moment is the”Red Bull” of devotional books – a passionate call to action.

Erwin McManus is, in his own words, “a husband, father, writer, futurist, activist, artist, and a spiritual and cultural leader.” Chasing Daylight embodies McManus’ high-octane approach to life and spirituality. This book is an invitation to view Christianity as something more than mere “sin management.” For McManus, faith is adventure, and each second of our life is an on-ramp to living life purposefully. McManus uses language that feels alien to a discussion of Christianity, but shouldn’t—courage, initiative, risk, embracing uncertainty, influence, and movement. These traits should be the buzzwords of every believer.

The narrative of Jonathan and his shield bearer choosing to attack the Philistine camp without support (1 Samuel 14) makes up the backbone of the book. McManus sees Jonathan as a temple of personal discipleship. We see a need that only a God-energized agent can meet and attack it. McManus calls this the Jonathan Factor, and he believes that this should be a standard feature of every Christ-follower.

Chasing Daylight is filled with stories from Erwin’s personal life and from the life of his congregation. McManus has gone where he’s calling others to go. His stories of starting out as a pastor and risking his financial security and reputation for the sake of God’s calling gives him the credibility to dare others from their lives of complacency. The story of how his church, Mosaic, risked looking foolish in their quest to begin influencing north Los Angeles resonated deeply with me.

McManus also weaves references from pop culture and fictional diary entries of a mysterious character, Aydan, to simultaneously add familiarity and mystery to his book. In all, Chasing Daylight is intense, urgent, and fast.

It’s hard to find a fault with this book, other than it cost me some sleep. I started reading the book in bed, thinking I’d take in a chapter before falling asleep. However, McManus’ writing pushed every leadership and motivational button in my body. It’s like singing “Eye of the Tiger” to your infant as a lullaby. It’s impossible to read this book with a detached perspective; you’ll find yourself personally engaged in the call to spend your life well.

Chasing Daylight is a great book for anyone needing a jolt from complacency, living in a rut, or even laziness. This is also a perfect gift for the graduates in your life who are just beginning to launch their adult lives.

FAMILYFANS RATING: A

--LS