Book Review of Chazown by Craig Groeschel

A while back, I picked up Chazown: Define Your Vision. Pursue Your Passion. Live Your Life on Purpose.by Craig Groeschel.  You know I had to read this book from the subtitle.  As I have transitioned into being a Senior Pastor I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about vision. Chazown (pronounced khaw-ZONE) is the Hebrew word for vision and in this book Craig Groeschel speaks of discovering one’s personal vision.  He wants the reader to imagine themselves on their death bed and look back to see what really mattered in life.

Everyone ends up somewhere.  But few people end up somewhere on purpose.-From page 6 of Chazown and borrowed from Visioneering

There are a lot of things I love about this book.  First, each section is really short, 2-3 pages.  It makes it easier to digest everything.  He also speaks of our Chazown having 5 spokes:Relationship with God

1. Relationship with God
2. Relationship with People
3. Finances
4. Health and Fitness
5. Work

There are lots of exercises in the book as you are encouraged to write down your goals and dreams.  It includes an appendix that lists some core values and spiritual gifts to think through and see how God has gifted us and wired us.  I had never thought of things like endurance and zeal as core values, but it broadened my thinking as to how God wanted to focus my life on certain things.  Groeschel’s view is that God’s vision for us comes at the place where our core values, spiritual gifts, and past experiences intersect.  It’s powerful to see these things unfold with expectation.  My wife and I will be going through this book and exercises together as we see the future God has charted for us.  I highly recommend this book and doing the hard work that comes with it.