Review: Author urges believers to fight for Jesus until ‘The Last Arrow’

Life is a battlefield, and you’ve got a quiver of arrows. That’s the central analogy of “The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life.”

Will you avoid the battle, believing that you are average and refraining from shooting your arrows?

Will you die with a full quiver?

Or will you passionately shoot each arrow, living each moment with urgency? This involves risks, author Erwin Raphael McManus writes, but each unused arrow prevents you from reaching your full, God-given potential.

McManus, a native of El Salvador, grew up in the U.S. and ministers for a church in Los Angeles. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer while writing “The Last Arrow.” That reality adds a sense of urgency to his words.

The book’s title comes from 2 Kings 13, in which the dying prophet Elisha takes King Jehoash’s hand, and together they shoot an arrow through an east window, “the Lord’s arrow of victory” (2 Kings 13:17).The story of Elisha runs throughout the book, so reviewing 2 Kings before reading would be helpful.

McManus addresses prayer many times. In addition to petitioning God for our needs, we must be aware that God can use us as the answer to someone else’s prayer. Our burning light may prevent someone from experiencing darkness and loneliness.

“It will inspire all of us who wish to achieve our dreams, even if doing so means selling all we have and stepping out in faith.”

In addition to McManus’ own struggles, his book is filled with examples (perhaps too many) of people who have faced massive hurdles in life. I found it impossible to personalize each one, and some readers may find parts of the book tiresome.

Nonetheless, this volume provides an ideal study for a small group, especially for those wanting to plant a church, launch a business or start a ministry. It will inspire all of us who wish to achieve our dreams, even if doing so means selling all we have and stepping out in faith. This book stimulates, encourages and motivates us to a full life of service — one that ends with an empty quiver.

Sheri Kretzschmar is a registered nurse from Winston-Salem, N.C.

She lives in Guatemala and serves with Health Talents International, a medical ministry associated with Churches of Christ. She blogs at sheriinguate.blogspot.com.

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