Messy Spirituality, by Michael Yaconelli

I recently read Messy Spirituality: God's annoying love for imperfect people, by Mikael Yaconelli. And, I gotta say, aren't you just a little bit jealous that your last name isn't Yaconelli?

This little book was delightful. Less than 150 pages, Yaconelli writes in a very smooth style about the struggles of spirituality for average people.

Not interested in preaching about ideals or "shoulds" when it comes to spirituality, the author, from his own life experience, discusses the spiritual life for messy, beat-up, normal people. The real blessing of this book is that Yaconelli gives his readers permission to skrew up, to do it wrong, and to fall on our faces as many times as we need to.

He puts it best this way, "Spirituality is anything but a straight line; it is a mixed up, topsy-turvy, helter-skelter godliness that turns our lives into an upside down toboggan ride full of unexpedted turns, surprise bumps, and bone-shattering crashes. In other words, messy spirituality is the delirious consequence of a life ruined by a Jesus who will love us right into his arms" (pg. 17).

The book is kind of a pep talk for those of us unable to live in secluded monastaries and have "perfect" or "clean" spirituality. It is for everyday folks doing their best in between rush hour and evening supper trying to remain aware that God is somehow present even when the kids are screaming.

Yaconelli shares myriad delightful stories that point to the sacred in everyday life. Instead of tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary feets, he tells of ordinary, and sometimes messed up people, doing normal things but with profound spiritual undertones.

This book is what I needed after my last book review. I would recommend it to anyone looking for some light devotional reading with down-to-earth material.

Messy Spirituality is a quick read you could finish in a weekend, and perhaps let yourself relax a little bit reassured that God is not demanding perfection from you. Again, Yaconelli sums this point up well, "Spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test. It is a relationship. Spirituality is not about competency; it is about intimacy. Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection" (pg 13).