In 40 stirring readings, life's core issues are identified: honesty, purity, courage, conviction, compromise, sincerity, love and faith.

How does one review a book of devotionals, exactly?

Granted, I don’t read nearly enough nonfiction to begin with, which means I do not have much experience reviewing it either. But I think a devotional work is especially difficult to evaluate, because it is dependent on both another book (the Bible) and even the reader, to a certain extent. It cannot be considered in isolation. And yet, from a strictly spiritual perspective, it seems wrong to “rate” one’s quiet times. There's a balance to be kept here, and carefully, too.

The first thing to note about Charles R. Swindoll’s The Quest for Character (and, in my opinion, one of its best features) is that he does truly see the Christian life as an adventure. Of course, a large part of our walk consists in abiding in Christ, but that is something that should—indeed, must—evidence itself in action. Swindoll sees that action as twofold in nature.

Some of the qualities God forms in our hearts are to be guarded, carefully and consistently kept. But others are to be given, freely and fully released. Our hearts aren’t always to be protected from intrusion. Sometimes we are to let ourselves go … allow ourselves to be broken … give ourselves away. It takes both guarding and giving.

If I have one complaint about the book, it is that this distinction he makes here is not always borne out in the devotionals themselves. When half of the daily readings are put under the heading of “Guarding Your Heart,” and the half under “Giving Your Heart,” I expect for a visible shift to occur somewhere in the middle. It didn't. Also, there were a few entries that seemed to have nothing to do with either the bigger theme of the section or the scripture readings accompanying them. I’m thinking particularly of the lesson entitled “God’s Judgment.” What connection does the story Swindoll tells have with either “Guarding Your Heart” or Hebrews 12? I really could not fathom it.

On the whole, though, Swindoll is a good storyteller, spinning out tales that help make his point and fit well with the scripture readings. More than anything, I enjoyed the Bible passages he selected, especially the back-to-back readings of Psalm 143 and Hebrews 12, which together packed a big punch: despair followed by enduring hope.

I'm somewhat ashamed that it took me over six months to make my way through a 40-day devotional, but then again, I do believe that this is the first book of its kind that I have even finished. Because of that, because of Swindoll's storytelling skills, and because of the quality of the Scripture selections, I recommend The Quest for Character. ( )

This book became the basis of a very positive and well received theme for the school in 1998. Guard your heart, and guide your heart provide a great structure for the book.

Highly recommended! ( )

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