The Gift of Thorns: Jesus, the Flesh, and the War for Our Wants

The followers of Jesus today are living in a time when their desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against them by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. The Gift of Thorns by A. J. Swoboda explores how to cultivate desires that bring life and freedom and lead to Christ, and challenges the assumption that desire is in and of itself bad or dangerous. It suggests that a world where we do not get all that we want is the greatest gift ever.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2024
Publisher: Zondervan

Today's followers of Jesus find themselves navigating a complex and challenging landscape, where their desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against them by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. The mantra of "Follow your heart and You do you" has become prevalent in our culture, but it has led to a sense of disconnection and fragmentation for many. As we grapple with the raging desires within us, we are left feeling torn asunder. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires that bring life, freedom, and ultimately lead us to Christ?

The Gift of Thorns, written by A. J. Swoboda, offers valuable insights into these questions and more. The path forward is anything but easy, as many in the Christian community assume that desire is inherently bad or dangerous and must be crucified for simply existing. For some, desire is seen as demonic, while for others, it is deified and pursued relentlessly. However, these two options sidestep the joy and challenge of finding God in our desire.

There exists an ancient and sacred way that is forged around the life, wisdom, and power of Jesus and his Spirit. This way leads us to a deeper understanding of our desires and the role they play in our lives. It is not about whether or not we have desires, but what we do with the desires we have.

Near the end of the story of humanity's rebellion, the theme of thorns is introduced. As readers delve into the Bible, they will discover that the thematic repetition of thorns pops up over and over again. What are the thorns for? According to God's words, they will be "for you" (Gen. 3:18). The premise of this book is that a world where we do not get all that we want is, in fact, the greatest gift ever.

In a world where our desires are constantly manipulated and exploited, it is essential to cultivate a sense of discernment and self-awareness. We must learn to listen to the voice of our hearts and align our desires with the will of God. This requires a willingness to surrender our ego and submit to the greater good. It also means being open to the transformative power of desire, which can lead us to new experiences, growth, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.

The Gift of Thorns provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of desire and finding God in our desires. It encourages us to embrace the thorns as a symbol of our humanity and the challenges we face in our journey toward wholeness. By embracing the gift of thorns, we can cultivate desires that bring life, freedom, and ultimately lead us to Christ.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 148 x 221 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780310153283