Jesus Is Better Than You Imagined

Silence. Mystery. Waiting. Are these the moments and means of God’s presence? Sharing intense personal stories of distress, doubt, and divine deliberation, Merritt (A Faith of Our Own) leads readers on a search to “live with wide eyes” expecting to find a “boundless” and “better” God than they imagined. A seasoned writer, Merritt knows how to craft a recipe that brings together intimate and inspirational stories and biblical narratives for great effect. Just as he did in previous books, Merritt does more than offer pithy one-liners, which he does in spades (“I’m tempted to treat my faith community like a pair of blue jeans”), but he gives voice to a collective yearning among young evangelicals and spiritual wanderers: where is God in this mess? Merritt’s answer is provided with winsome writing and absorbing tales that reveal a God that is found in unforeseen places. While not every chapter is equally captivating, the sum total of the book is one that is worth a read for those wondering if Jesus is better than they imagined or previously experienced. Agent: Christopher Ferebee. (Apr.)