A Look at a Book
by R.M.

BOOK REVIEW: Touching the Invisible by Norman P. Grubb

For most of my life I have looked outside of myself for answers. I stole other people’s views, choices, and opinions as mine and tried using their believing instead of my own. By living through other people, I made them responsible for my decisions, which hurt them and me. I am seeing the seriousness of this sin. I see that I need to make my own choices about God and what He means to me.

A friend recommended that I spend time reading the Bible and Norman Grubb’s books. So I began searching for my own answers and beliefs to see how the expression of Jesus Christ works through me.

I began with one of Norman’s books, which is short and direct in explaining God’s manifestation through man, Touching the Invisible. In reading this book, I began to see, "God is almighty through me" and "God will do so and so through me"

Norman explains that God uses each individual differently to complete His work. Therefore, I must see how God works in me. Norman says, "Yes it is possible to know God’s will confidently in all situations" He states in the chapter "How to Obtain Guidance," "When God speaks, He always speaks in stillness. While our hearts are disturbed and our minds are busy on a situation, His voice cannot be heard." God is faithful in communicating His will to us when we are open to listening to His guidance.

Norman goes on to discuss fellowship in "How to Maintain Unity." He says, "At the moment one is inclined to criticize or resent a brother, he must recognize the spirit of criticism as the sin which concerns him and not his brother’s behavior…and rejoice in all the image of Christ to be seen in him" To me this means looking at my sin, confessing, and changing my behavior before I can help another person. This is necessary for true fellowship and unity.

I am learning that giving another person what I have requires an inner understanding and knowing of my own; in other words, that I have something to give.

In finishing this book I was amazed at how well Norman explains what it means to be a Christ-operated person. First, I have to agree with God’s will and want God to do His will through me. Next, I must carry out the process of faith by believing and trusting against outer appearances. This action is followed by obedience to Him. Then, I must count Satan’s attacks as blessings because his temptations are opportunities to exercise my faith. at good would it be to keep this just for me? God’s intention is for me to be an expression of Him–a self-for-others.

Touching the Invisible is one of Norman’s earliest writings and is a wonderful stepping stone to his later books. I would recommend this book to anyone who has looked to other people for their answers. It could begin to change your life as it has mine.