Even the best of us have our faults. There may be
no truer statement in human history than the simple assertion that, “Nobody’s
perfect.” Moreover, we are generally unaware that our imperfections lead each of
us to walk a tightrope every day of our lives. A single unfortunate event,
whether we are victim or offender, can easily cause a fall which could have
life-shattering consequences.
Such is the case in the life of author William
Langston. In his book, Watching the
Desert Bloom, Langston gives us a look inside the heart and mind of one
whose life has been shipwrecked. The book is not a record of the events which
led to his fall, but rather an account of the aftermath; a journey through the
emotional landscape of a man who has, quite literally, lost everything.
This is not a book for your Saturday afternoon
leisure. It is a tome more suited to meditative study and quiet reflection, to
be consumed bit by bit on a regular basis. Each entry is brief, reading much
like a daily devotional or, in many cases, a private journal. Langston presents
his essays chronologically, enabling us to travel alongside him on a winding
course through a turbulent emotional landscape. The journey begins with the
shock and despair the author experienced as he watched the life he once knew
fade into the distance, finding himself stranded in (as he puts it) a desert: a
place bereft of hope.
But all is not gloom and doom. There are glimmers
of light and hope, even in our darkest moments. Langston captures these gems as
well, placing them on display as they were found: scattered amidst the ashes of a broken life. Here
is a moment of quiet repose; there, a lesson taught by a wise mentor; and
perhaps most importantly, embers of hope still aglow within the heart of a
dreamer.
Many self-published books lack the “spit and
polish” which one expects from a large publishing company, and Watching the Desert Bloom is no
exception. But that ruggedness proves to be a benefit to the reader. We hear
the authentic personal voice of a real human being, rather than the
chrome-plated perfection of a team of editors. By the end, we might even
imagine that we know the author personally, as we have been made intimately
privy to his deepest thoughts, fears, hopes, and longings.
Many daily devotionals handle scriptural concepts
on a surface-level, but fail to connect with deeper insight, simply due to the
limitations of such a brief format. Watching
the Desert Bloom pulls double-duty, providing a daily devotional time while
simultaneously recording the continuing struggles and growth of one individual.
If you’re looking for a devotional with an emphasis on personal application,
you need look no further. This is it.
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