27th July, 2005

CAROLE ADAMS

"This book looks at personal stories about relationships from the author’s experiences and those of his friends, and also looks at the relationships Jesus had with those around Him, to try and discover what makes friendships succeed."

The Pursuit of God in the Company of Friends
Richard Lamb
Published by InterVarsity Press, 2003
ISBN 0-8308-3230-0


My attention was caught by the title of this book when I was browsing at a book sale. Not just The Pursuit of God, but the second half of the title was what really held my attention. Christian community always sounds so wonderful in theory, but in practice often seems to create as many problems as it solves. Lamb says in the introduction “as much as community has become a buzzword these days, a deep experience of community seems elusive”.

The author believes that what we are all seeking is the reality of God Himself in our lives, and that the pursuit of this desire will bring you into deeper relationships with those around you. On the other hand, if what you desire most is deeper and lasting friendships with those around you, this will lead you to pursue God. Lamb explains that friendship did not come naturally to him, and that his company of friends has, over many years, been a very big influence in shaping his life and his relationship to God.

This book looks at personal stories about relationships from the author’s experiences and those of his friends, and also looks at the relationships Jesus had with those around Him, to try and discover what makes friendships succeed. Personal stories are told and explored, and tables are used to set out very clearly what the author is saying about relationship with God and with each other. There are many practical examples of strategies that have worked, and an honest look at reasons for things that have failed.

At the end of each chapter there is a section called “For Reflection” - a series of suggestions and/or questions directed at the reader to make what you have just read relate to you personally. Lamb does not cover or gloss over the difficulties all of us face in pursuing deep relationships, and the questions he asks probe at some of our more hidden and possibly sensitive areas. This book should be seen as a catalyst for an honest look at ourselves and our relationship to God and others, for all our best efforts at witnessing to the world will have no impact if we fail to show love to one another.

The book ends by looking at heaven and eternity, as the author says this will be the final chapter of your pursuit of God in the company of our friends. In fact it will no longer be a pursuit, but a celebration of God in the company of all those we have known as friends in our lifetime. As Lamb says “ Friends are with us not just for the journey but also for the party afterward.”

Reading this book requires concentration - I found that I needed to read a complete chapter at a time and then reflect on it to absorb it all. Not the sort of book you can pick up and read a few paragraphs here and there, it requires more intensive reading to gain understanding of what the author is challenging us about. For all of us who are seeking deeper relationship with God and others it is well worth reading and acting upon the challenges you find there.