Abandon is based on the charismatic wisdom about what it means to believe in Jesus -- "those who would gain the world, must first lose it all". Using his own life as the pattern for what that looks like in our world, Timberlake shows that no matter who we are, we are given the opportunity to walk into God's plan and purpose for our lives. Those who would worry less about our lives -- who would dare to let life go, and not hang on white-knuckled -- would find that God desires us to live life to the fullest.
Unfortunately, though, the way in which Timberlake largely envisions what that "fullest" might be, he sounds more like the very culture who craves the newest and best just because it's new and better. Abandon sadly falls into the trap of envisioning God's purpose that sounds more like American exceptionalism than the way of the Cross that is the way disciples walk.
While Timberlake encourages faith over doubt, the direction he envisions has more to do with strong relationships with ourselves and our friends, than the way of servants and friends of Jesus as we find that life depicted in the New Testament.
I so wanted to enjoy Abandon, but in the end, I was left feeling cold. Because the message is more "can do" in spiritual fluff, than the way of joyous abandonment that is the way of the Gospel.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, as part of the Speakeasy book review program, in exchange for my honest review here.