Stop Waiting for Permission

August 8, 2022
Chandler, the senior pastor of Union Church in Maryland, debuts with an enjoyable if vague guide to discovering one’s purpose. He looks to scripture and personal anecdotes for lessons on “how to prepare your life for the greatness God has planned for you.” Relating the parable of the talents in which three servants are given money but one refuses to invest because he dreads losing any, Chandler encourages readers to overcome their fear of failure. To this end, the author offers advice on bouncing back from disappointment, urging readers to “allow God to heal your heart” and “celebrate every win.” Teamwork is often vital to achieving one’s goals, Chandler suggests, recounting how a colleague at his church helped him see the value of delegation and division of labor to grow their congregation. Chandler’s ambition to provide advice that’s as applicable to a “single mom” as it is to a “dental hygienist” means the guidance is sometimes overly broad; for instance, readers will wonder how to ensure one’s life is “fueled by eternity.” Still, Chandler’s bubbly personality shines and his animated prose entertains, as when he casts a battle between the Israelites and Philistines as befitting an action movie and writes, “I’m literally screaming right now at how gangster” one of the Israelites is. Though sometimes hazy, this is buoyed by the author’s charisma.