The problem with most Christian books that I’ve read is that they often start with this premise: “God is good, and he wants you to be good too!”

Now certainly, I believe God is good, but the problem is, my life is just screwed up. Just screwed up enough that when I pick up a book whose premise is rooted in such a very simplified view on the work of God in this broken and screwed up world – inevitably, there is disconnect.

It’s easy to write a book that spells out a 21 day plan to make your life better.

It’s another thing entirely to help someone see the real world, and where God is at work in it.

-Rewritten: Exchanging Your Story for God’s Story by Bruce and Heather Moore starts from a different premise – and one that, to me – seems a bit more realistic, and authentic.

The idea is not as simple as “God is good, and wants you to be too.” Rewritten tackles the theology and implications of “imago dei” with a genuine authenticity, and not with trite and trivial quips and quotes.

The Moore’s say this:

When we understand that God has created us in His image then
it radically alters how we view life, others, and even ourselves.
Understanding imago dei—being created in God’s image–elevates our
understanding of who we are and it increases our desire to live out the
design that God has for us. The problem is most of us live life completely
unaware that whatever we are in life—a minister, mail carrier, code
writer, stay at home mom, or small business owner, we bear our Creator’s
image. Without knowing God’s design for life, the best we can do is make
it up as we go, or borrow ideas from others that may or may not have

worked for them. Even if we copy something in ministry or in personal
life that is a habit or discipline in someone else’s life ultimately we have
to ask “God, is the pathway that You have entrusted for me?”

After reading the book, I’m reminded that my life starts out as a flawed story – a book whose premise and plots get all tangled up – and whose pages are moldy and musty. God is the one that wants to do a work in my life, to take my messed up manuscript and rewrite it.

Certainly, we’re going to haggle over the details. Most writers and editors do have a clash or two. The best writers are the ones who let go, and work with that editor to craft a story into a worthwhile piece of literature.

I appreciated the Moore’s ability to weave relatable stories, and discussion questions into this book -
as a small group leader and member of a church staff, it gives me a resource to apply not only to my own life, but to use as a springboard for a growth group or bible study.

I echo the sentiments of the Moore’s in this quote:

Many people feel stuck in a life story that is very different then the one
they had hoped for and very different then the one that God planned for
their lives. What we have found, having counseled hundreds of people
whose lives seemed perfect on the outside, that deep down on the inside
they secretly are longing for a different life story. We all long for a
different story because we have felt the impact of others hurtful decisions
towards us as well as our own mess-ups! Heather and I have felt the deep
sorrow of losing a child, the sting of betrayal and even some of our well
intended decisions have gotten us nowhere. We know personally what it
means to be stuck. From the very beginning, in Genesis 1:26-27, there is
something that is often overlooked. We skip to the middle of the Bible and
we miss the very beginning. It says the most amazing thing; that we were
created in the image of God. It’s like having our very own internal tattoo.
We are designed to bear His image and as a result, God has set in each of
us a life story that is amazing.