If someone approached me as a beginner Christian, or even as a veteran Christian, and asked the following question: “Eli, what book is an absolute must read to help me in my Christian walk?” I would juggle a select few books in my mind but eventually land on this book:
The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life – Hannah Whithall Smith
This has been a hidden gem for me. There is much talk of Tozer, Ravenhill, C.T. Studd, Hudson Taylor, etc, etc. The list goes on and on of the library of absolutely amazing books that are worth your time. Yet I have never heard this book mentioned nor have I ever heard of the author, Hannah Smith, until I was rummaging through my Grandpa’s old books and found this to be intriguing. And let me be the first to tell you, it is right in line with the before mentioned names and packs a punch.
What is it about?
Exactly what it says it’s about. The “Secret” to a happy life as a Christian. It is not what you are expecting either. Modern day books are always offering short cuts to an easy life, or quick habits you can master to be your best self. This is not what Hannah is after. From page one to the end of the book she leads you to the feet of Jesus pleading with you to give your all to Him in absolute surrender and trust. There are no cutting corners in this book and, using scripture, she navigates this walk of faith for her readers while inputting personal examples and helpful illustrations to nail the point.
She explains, in a beautiful simplicity, the how behind our Christian walk. This “walk” she entitles, along with Paul, the “life hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3) Our life is to be surrendered into the hands of our Heavenly Father and we are to leave it there in His hands as we continue to live, yet not us, but Christ in us. Hannah speaks of many Christians who have entered into this walk and yet fail to truly enter into the life hid with Christ in God. This life that is supposed to be marked by joy, praise, song, obedience, and life is rather marked with care, anxiety, worry, doubt, and toiling. Why is it? How do we break out of this? You must read the book to understand that.
A Must Read
Usually on book reports I give an entire summary of the book and leave you to it. But I don’t want to give much away on this one. I want you to experience what I experienced when reading Whithall for the first time. You are gripped in, can’t put the book down, and challenged to your core with every chapter. My plea with you is this: get the book. Stop reading my sloppy post right now and go get this book. I guarantee it will change your life, if not dramatically then at least a little bit. But above all else it will be used by the Holy Spirit to stoke a flame of desire to seek after Christ afresh and to give Him all of you. Only then can you enter into the life hid with Him.