An upbuilding, honest account that takes readers on an invigorating journey of spiritual growth.
Are you a Christian who wrestles with dark or shameful thoughts that can’t be eradicated with willpower? Does fear shape your interpretation of Scripture? Does happiness depend on others’ approval? Does lingering doubt persist? If so, you’ll appreciate the struggles of a man who has felt what you feel. Matt Schmuker’s memoiric guide, Formed in Silence, is an upbuilding, honest account that takes readers on an invigorating journey of spiritual growth. This courageous walk of faith begins with a salvation experience in high school, an event that is profound, though not enough to quash the lingering inner turmoil. Candid sentiments like feeling alone, depressed, and irreparably broken persist, indicating a need for change. When slight recalculations fail to satisfy his spiritual hunger, Schmuker realizes a foundational shift is required. Instead of being distracted by relentless external noise and persistent internal static, the author discovers a peace that comes from listening to God in silence. “From nothing–from silence, God spoke and formed something new in my heart.” Once Schmuker learns to hear God’s voice and listens for answers in truth, he transitions from a life of despair and merely coping to one filled with the enjoyment of emotional and spiritual freedom.
With any book, you learn a lot about the author, and in Formed in Silence, audiences will get to know a man who is sensitive, humble, genuine, and warm in his appeal. These qualities make all the advice and religious messages palatable and more likely to be adapted in real-life situations. James 4:8 says that if we draw close to God, he will draw close to us, but what if the ways we seek him aren’t actually building closeness? Schmuker details his deliverance from what he cleverly terms obsessive-compulsive Christianity, a rigid, hypervigilant approach to faith that emphasizes outward actions such as frantically reciting Scripture. Instead, by pausing, meditating, and listening, the author invites God’s presence, enabling wholehearted surrender and a willingness to embrace direction, guidance, and fatherly care. Apart from chapter breaks, most of the book is organized into long stretches of uninterrupted text, which can make it difficult to find natural pauses or places to reflect, but expressive storytelling allows readers to feel like they’re witnessing events firsthand. Thoughtful poetry, parallels to Bible accounts, and relatable experiences will help audiences let go of their fear and learn to reason on matters, not independent of God, but by using their God-given ability to do just that. Valuable for anyone seeking God’s guidance or looking for evidence of his care, Formed in Silence is like a helping hand offered at just the right time.
