I read Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently in a weekend.

I want to like it.

I want to say that it is a good book.

That it makes sense.

That every woman should read it.

I want to.

It IS a good book. Easy to read, and with a wonderful (and very wise) list of "takeaways" at the end of each chapter, it has a lot to offer. It's refreshingly understanding of women, though written by a man--a popular, well-thought-of man in business circles, with an accomplished wife who has earned his respect. Marcus Buckingham has already built a new way of thinking in his "strength-based"books such as, First, Break All the Rules and Discover Your Strengths,and now targets the unique needs of women in this latest book.

It DOES make sense. Finally, a woman is given freedom to strive for "inbalance" in her life. To admit that it is not always fulfilling to work, or be a mom, or wife, or whatever. Buckingham encourages women to find their lead and supporting roles (you can take an assessment at www.stronglifetest.com ...after taking the test two times, I come out as a pioneer, equalizer, weaver) and to orient their lives and choices around those natural strengths.

Every woman (perhaps) should read it. There is something of value for you here, something you may not have thought of before. (Where else have you learned to assess your life from the viewpoint of its strongest moments? Moments when you most felt energized, effective and strong?)

So why the hesitancy to give a 100%, "Go buy it now!" recommendation?

As some of you may know, the calling in this season of my life seems to be to help other people excel--especially women--by encouraging them to stay close to God and do life well. (www.christianprudentwoman.com) I believe the two are intricately related, that God is and should be the number one priority, and that doing life well flows both from Him and brings glory to Him. It's easy to assume that is the goal of Thomas Nelson Publishers, too--their motto is to "Honor God and Serve People."

This doesn't mean that I only read faith-based material, or that I can't learn from other viewpoints, or that Thomas Nelson can't publish helpful books that aren't strongly faith-based. But when it comes to building women into all they can be, what is seriously missing from this book is a foundation of a higher calling in life--that there is a God-given purpose that is the most fulfilling thing you can do. Buckingham certainly dabbles in it--there are occasional references to God and faith (there is also one to evolution.) But the basic premise of the book leans (while not jumping over the cliff) toward the "it's about me" philosophy (albeit as a way to best influence and contribute to others, so that does redeem it some.)

I don't think it is inherently wrong to help people find their unique purpose--after all, I teach that sort of thing on a regular basis. And I do believe that when people act primarily out of their giftedness, they most glorify their Creator and bless others. If you can read this somewhat humanistic treatment of the subject with that filter in place, then I say, "Go for it." You'll get some good additional material for your journey. But if you are bothered when a biblical worldview is muddied by a humanistic one, or are tempted to jump on the bandwagon of any self-help book you read, there may be other books worth looking at instead. Print This