Have you ever met someone and discovered that they were nothing like what you thought they would be? When Nicole and I first met, this happened to her. She put her foot in her mouth all because she thought she knew who I was. But in reality she had just heard about me.
Knowing about someone is not the same as knowing somebody.
In Matthew Kelly’s new book titled Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation, he addresses this exact experience by asking what he calls “the Jesus question”–who do you say that Jesus is?
While Kelly’s previous book Rediscover Catholicism shines light on the beauty and richness of Catholicism as a whole, Rediscover Jesus narrows in its focus to help readers develop their personal relationship with Christ. This book invites readers to join on a 40-day journey from knowing about Jesus to knowing him personally and intimately. It is simple, approachable, and a good companion for entering into an authentic experience of prayer.
Many of us have a desire to know Jesus better, but life gets in the way. For me, it seems like sometimes I have a deeply fulfilling relationship with the Lord and other times I feel like I don’t know him at all.
Matthew Kelly offers readers a chance to hit reset on our sometimes shifting relationship with Christ, an invitation to go a little deeper. Maybe deeper than we have ever encountered Christ before.
At the end of each chapter, there is a reflection section where readers will find a point to ponder, scripture verse, a question to consider and a prayer. This allows you to really digest the points that Matthew brings up and begin the process of applying them to your own relationship with Christ. As Matthew states, “our lives change when our habits change, and forty days is the perfect time to form new habits.”
Why Rediscover Jesus?
“Why should I go deeper?” you might ask.
“I’m a Christian. I strive to be a good person and I go to church regularly. I know Jesus and don’t need to ‘rediscover’ Him.” This is all good but do you ever wonder what God has in store for you?
Doing the basic “Christian thing” is only table stakes. “I don’t have time,” you might say, but don’t let excuses stop you from going deeper. After all, the last thing we want to be mediocre in our lives is our relationship with Christ.
The ancient Greeks had two words for time, Chronos and Kairos. While the former refers to chronological time, the latter signifies a time-lapse, a moment of indeterminate time in which everything happens.
In the New Testament Kairos means “the appointed time in the purpose of God”, the time when God acts. It is opportunistic. This is what rediscovering Jesus is about. It is an opportunity to know Him and yourself in a way you may have never considered before.
Whenever I make an effort to rediscover Jesus, he surprises me.
Often when I take the time to attend a retreat or visit an adoration chapel that is where I find myself reconnecting and rediscovering what the Lord has in store for me. It is only when we make it a priority and truly set aside consistent time with Him (Kairos) that He acts.
Just like your best friend or spouse, there is always more to learn, always new intricacies to discover. Our God is the God of infinite wisdom, infinite possibility and infinite dreams for you, His beloved. Let this moment be an opportunity for you to rediscover His son, Jesus our Savior.
Rediscover Jesus Not Just For Your Sake
Being in a relationship with Jesus betters not only your own life but your personal relationships as well. When I make a point to grow and evolve in my own spiritual journey it inevitably helps me be a better father, husband, son, co-worker, and friend.
An Invitation
Jesus invites. He does not force, bombard or overwhelm. He simply and humbly asks us to take a step toward Him–moving past and setting aside our preconceived school-aged notions about who He is and was. He invites us to tap into the depth of who He is now and Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Jesus is the perfect read to guide you through this process.
How Can I Get The Book?
If you are interested in ordering Matthew’s new book, you can pre-order your copy of Rediscover Jesus on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. Readers who pre-order the book by August 16, 2015 and fill out this form, have a chance to win one of the several prizes, including an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy with Matthew and those going on the Dynamic Catholic Pilgrimage to Rome this November.
To learn more about the Rediscover Jesus sweepstakes, visit DynamicCatholic.com/RediscoverJesus/entry. Anyone who pre-orders the book will also have access to an exclusive webinar with Matthew, during which he will talk about his writing process, why he decided to write Rediscover Jesus, and why he thinks this is the most important book he has ever written.
Enter Our Blog’s Giveaway!
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The winner will be randomly selected next Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 and the book will be sent out, free of charge, shortly afterward.
In the future we will be giving away more books and resources, so subscribe via email to ensure you never miss your chance to win.
(Since we are covering the shipping costs, only residents within the continental United States are eligible to win.)
Follow the #RediscoverJesus Blog Tour
This post is a part of the #RediscoverJesus blog tour hosted by Dynamic Catholic. Next stop on the tour is our friend Jeff Miller aka The Curt Jester at Splendor of Truth. We encourage you to check out his blog.
