I put off reading this book for a long time y’all! And as it turns out, Called to Create was actually way more insightful and awesome than I expected it to be. Here is my official review…
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About a year ago, I heard about this book… Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk, by Jordan Raynor. And I thought to myself, ‘That sounds like an awesome book! I should totally read it!’. But, as with many non-fiction books, I made plenty of excuses.
Where would I find the time? Is it really worth the trouble? What will this book tell me that I don’t already know about being a Christian entrepreneur? I mean, I already believe God called me to create. What else is there?
Turns out, quite a lot!
Actually, what finally motivated me to read this book, is the knowledge that the author, Jordan Raynor, is coming out with his second book in January 2020. It’s called Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do. And of course, I thought ‘Ooh, I want to read that!’. Followed immediately by: ‘Oh, wait, I haven’t even read Called to Create yet. Guess I better get on the stick!’
So, here we are. I finished Called to Create in only one month, which is pretty impressive, given my history with non-fiction books. (I tend to take forever with them, or I lose interest and don’t even finish at all.) And y’all, I’m so glad I read it!
Called to Create: My Honest Review
Maybe you’re wondering the same things that I did. What’s in this book for you? What’s so special about it, that it’s worth your time?
To answer those queries, I’m dividing up my review into three main points, which will hopefully give your a better idea of the actual content of the book, and help you decide if you want to read it too.
1) Who is Called to Create for? You might assume that it’s only for entrepreneurs or creatives… and you’d be half right. But actually, now that I’ve read it from cover to cover, I realize that many of the topics discussed can be helpful and entertaining even to those of you who aren’t entrepreneurial. Really, this book is wonderful for anyone who wants to use their career as a ministry… To glorify God and be “the light of the world” by pointing others to Jesus Christ.
So, this book is for you if you’re an entrepreneur, artist, creative, small business owner, or writer. But it’s also for you if you’re a team leader, supervisor, store manager, soccer mom chauffeuring a van full of kids, volunteer coordinator, small group leader, family matriarch, etc. etc. If the people in your work or family life are looking at you as an example of what it means to be a Christ follower, you can learn a lot from this book.
Yes, on the surface Called to Create is about following God’s calling to, well, create. But on a deeper level, it’s about using one’s vocation as an avenue to glorify God, serve/help/love people, and lead people to Jesus. And THAT, is a calling that God gives to every single one of us!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
2) What’s so interesting about the book’s content? Lots, actually. The author, Jordan Raynor, used many examples of Christian entrepreneurs past and present, to illustrate his points. I loved reading real-life examples of faith in the lives of such people as C.S. Lewis, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Blake Mycoskie.
I already knew about the tremendous faith and literary contribution of C.S. Lewis (hello, Chronicles of Narnia!). But, I had no idea that Bach (classical music composer), or Mycoskie (founder of TOMS Shoes), are Christians. And it was quite fascinating to learn how they, and many other Christian entrepreneurs, allowed their Christian faith to define and shape how they do business.
3) My biggest takeaway from this book? Of all the great examples and advice in Called to Create, the one thing that hit me the most, is the importance of loving people first, and letting that lead naturally to sharing one’s faith. In chapter six, Raynor gives the example of Bob Collins and Andrew Prilliman, who have created an amazing laundromat business that is focused on loving and improving the lives of its customers. Rather than showing their faith in Christ in an obtrusive way, they aim to love their customers through their actions.
“I think the perception is that a Christian business owner is a person who runs their business like everybody else but they go to church on Sundays and they have a fish in their logo. That’s the only difference,” Prilliman said. “I got connected with another Christian laundromat owner who took me to visit one of his locations. I walked in and almost fell over because there was this huge mural of Jesus and a lamb and little kids running around him. I went back to our office and said, ‘That’s the picture of what we don’t want to be.’ I want people to feel loved when they are at our stores. I want them to feel like we care. I want them to feel like we value who they are. We don’t have to prove to people that we are Christians through their senses. We want to appeal to people’s hearts.” [Called to Create, pg. 114]
“We don’t have to prove to people that we are Christians through their senses. We want to appeal to people’s hearts.”
Andrew Prilliman [as quoted in Called to Create, pg. 114]
Wow. Just WOW. That might be the best piece of evangelism advice ever! We don’t have to flaunt a cross in our cubicle at work, or even wear a “Jesus saves” t-shirt everywhere we go. But we definitely DO need to shower people with such an unusual display of LOVE, they can’t help but be curious about our faith.
*mic drop* That’s all I got y’all. Seriously, read the book! 🙂
Want the full measure of great stories, examples, and advice on how to live out your faith through your vocational calling? I highly recommend you read Called to Create for yourself. Get in all the usual formats on Amazon (Kindle, or paperback), or sign up for a free trial of Audible to listen to Called to Create as an audiobook!
Hi! Thank you so much for visiting Divine Creative Love. I’m a Jesus-lovin’ girl, lettering artist, designer, and general creative-at-heart. And, I have narcolepsy. I blog about faith in God, overcoming challenges, and creative topics such as Bible journaling. If you’re new here, be sure and subscribe to my list so you won’t miss anything!