The Making of Us
Who We Can Become When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned
- Christian Living
- Publisher: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2019
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Publisher's Description
Beautiful Things Can Emerge from Life Not Going as Planned When life takes one too many unexpected turns, do you find yourself saying, “I don’t know who I am anymore”? In the wake of shattered dreams, do you wonder how you will keep going—and if you’ll ever find purpose or joy again? After infertility, an international move, and a professional change shook Sheridan Voysey’s world, he realized that he couldn’t reconcile his expectations with the life he was living. Feeling lost, he decided to pair his spiritual journey with a literal one: a hundred-mile pilgrimage along the northeast coast of England. Inspired by the life and influence of the seventh-century monk Cuthbert, Sheridan travelled on foot from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to Durham. Taking his friend DJ along for the journey, and keeping a journal by his side, Sheridan discovered not resolution but peace. Not ambition but purpose. Not shouts of convictions but whispers of the presence of God. In The Making of Us, Sheridan invites us to join him as he walks along England’s shores and we trace the borders of our own hearts. Part pilgrim’s journal, part call to reflection, The Making of Us eloquently reminds us of the beauty of journeying into uncertainty, the freedom of letting go, and the wonder of losing our identity only to discover who we really are.
Endorsements (9)
“Sheridan Voysey knows well the art of telling a story that takes you on a journey far away from where you are now. His latest book, a pilgrimage to rediscover himself, is just such a lyrical achievement. More importantly, though, his tale appeals to the journey of heart that all of us grapple with. Indeed, The Making of Us might just be the making of you.”
“It is a well-worn metaphor: life is a journey. While true, life is in fact far more like a pilgrimage. In The Making of Us Sheridan takes us on a beautiful and compelling trek to reveal how dissonance and disruption can call us into the delight of God. Brew a good mug of tea, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and let this pilgrimage take you to the wonder that you, too, have been, are, and will always be on a great adventure to the Face of beauty.”
“So often as Christians we carefully and responsibly plan our way but forget that it is the Lord who directs our steps. Sheridan Voysey’s reflection on the literal steps of his journey in search of the Lord’s direction is a beautiful, evocative reminder that our lives as Christian saints are part of an eternal community, one not merely of our own place and time, and of a much larger story, one not merely of our own making.”
“Traveling with his friend DJ and the invisible figure of Saint Cuthbert (a favorite of mine), Sheridan also journeys with the God he has been struggling to understand and hear clearly. Through typically honest and wonderful descriptions of his surroundings and inner musings, Sheridan warmly welcomes us to join this rich experience. An exceptional read.”
“Sheridan Voysey writes with depth and poetic imagery about the gifts that emerge when life doesn’t go as planned. From his first question about where we fit into the world, to his last about how we desire to be remembered, he fills us with hope as he recounts his own search for purpose and calling, guided by the deep truth that we are always with God. This beautiful book will challenge you, guide you, call you to the countryside, and bring you back home to the truth that you, too, are always with God.”
“The Making of Us causes us to consider some of life’s most searching questions: Who am I? What should I do with my life? How can God know me completely, yet still love me utterly? I found it a beautiful book, not just in its lyrical writing but in its gentle yet firm encouragement to press on with our journeys, even when we are doubting, fearful, and tired. This is a book to nourish our souls. I highly recommend it.”
“The Making of Us is a rich and nuanced exploration of vocation and identity. Who are we when we lose the status of a significant job, when we don’t hit milestones alongside our peers, when our best laid plans don’t come to pass? Does God have a unique purpose for each of us, and if so, how do we know what it is? Sheridan’s hard-won wisdom is a gift to all of us who wrestle with these questions—to those at crossroads, to those who need help discerning the loving voice of God. This beautifully crafted and lyrically written book is destined to become a cherished friend and companion to many.”
“At one point in this stunning book Sheridan reflects, ‘I want to craft words that captivate the heart and open eyes to see God.’ In The Making of Us he does this with lyrical beauty. Through the pain, joy, heart-searching, and wrestling of these two blistered-feet pilgrims, the reader is drawn into an intimate and healing pilgrimage—attending, listening, questioning, and reflecting to finally discover the simple truth that what makes us valuable is that we are children of God.”
“Sheridan proves to be an observant and wise travelling companion. This absorbing expedition along one of Britain’s great pilgrim paths not only makes you feel like you’re there but also encourages you to embark on your own inner exploration along the way. Well researched and beautifully crafted, this book itself is a journey worth making.”
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