Man, Becoming and Purpose
A review of “The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face” by Patrick M. Morley
Morley, Patrick M. The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face. Michigan: Zondervan, 2014. Print.
Dear Fellow,
Today’s despatch is quite unique. The difference here is that this is the review for a book I am still reading, unlike the other book reviews which it is about books I am done reading. Let’s dive in!
The Backstory
Lately, I observed my reading is taking a shift. The last few weeks since the launch of my book, I have been reading out of the longing to find answers to some of the deep questions that come to bear; some as a result of an experience, or contemplation on the next phase of my life, among other impulses. The choice of Morley’s The Man in the Mirror fits into the category of books I picked in response to the questions arising in my heart in contemplation of the next phase of my life. Maybe the pressure comes as a result of another birthday. (I will be 23 on the 21st of this month.) Long and short, I have this longing to want to be a model man for my siblings, family, and society as a whole.
The Reading
I stumbled on the book The Man in the Mirror by Patrick M. Morley on Saturday, 29th July 2023. It is one among the collection of books I am assisting a friend to distribute in the city. (My friend Nate is a theologian who has over time observed the quality of theology books accessible by and available to the people especially in the city of Jos. Leveraging his relationship with some internationally renowned publishers, authors, and scholars who are involved with some books he considers worth the while of an intentional reader, Nate wants to help more thoughtful and deliberate people define their theology—and even so, correctly. The majority of the books are acquired from publishers and authorised stores in the country and abroad; then they are resold at relatively affordable rates in the city.) When I saw the title of Morley’s book—and the subtitle—I jumped to the prelims and couldn’t defer the reading when I read this from the Introduction:
“My prayer is that this book will meet you where you live—in the marketplace. Life is a struggle. And we all need Monday-through-Friday answers to Sunday’s nagging questions. That said, I want you to know that this is intended to be a positive book. I believe you will be a happier, more focused man when you finish. Let’s begin by asking a close-up look at the rat race.” (p. 19)
The book has a total of 24 headings, each heading addressing one specific problem, just as the subtitle proposes to respond to the 24 problems men face. You wonder, what are some of the problems men face? The 24 problems are classified into 7 parts as follows:
Solving our Identity Problems
Solving our Relationship Problems
Solving our Money Problems
Solving our Time Problems
Solving our Temperament Problems
Solving our Integrity Problems
Conclusion: “How Can a Man Change?”
The Lessons
At the time of this writing, I am in Chapter 8 “Children: How to Avoid Regrets” (page 125 out of 390 pages). I have picked one central lesson from my reading of this book thus far, and it is better summarised in this excerpt from the book:
“Our purposes will change over time—not quickly, like goals, but over a longer horizon; children grow up, men retire, and new spiritual gifts develop. So we need a measure of flexibility, and we need to periodically review where God has put us by His sovereign will.” (p. 98)
What do I make of the quote? I see that purpose is beyond a specific profession. While our professions, jobs, careers, occupation, (or whatever label we have made for it), the only unchanging thing in the question of purpose is, where God has put us by His sovereign will. That the problem of identifying purpose is solved in Romans 12:2 which reads:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV).
The Conclusion
As Morley admonished, I will be living onward with the needed “measure of flexibility” for every season of my life. Change is central to life. It is only wise to adjust where necessary as time passes while holding onto unchanging truths like God is Sovereign over everything, seen and unseen.
I wish you the right measure of flexibility for every season of your life, good Fellow!
Your LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.
Now, I want to read this book.