Blue Like Jazz - reflections and review

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is one of those books that you can sink in to with a lot of aha's and "yes exactly!" kind of moments. At least for me it was. Growing up in the American Christian culture of the southeastern US I had a lot of questions and concerns about my faith even into adulthood. This book brought a freedom to my faith and sparked a passion for people like I never had before. With his brutal honesty, sharing his thoughts and feelings, Donald Miller brings to light what many people, who are Christians think but are afraid to say, do but are afraid to show, desire but are afraid to try.

Blue Like Jazz helped me discover true freedom from religion.

Blue Like Jazz was published in 2003. In a recent blog post the author, Donald Miller, explains why he is glad he is not the same guy he was then,

God designed you to grow from a baby to a child to a teenager to an adult and even after you’re an adult you’re designed to continue learning about God, about love, about each other and about yourself. Not a day goes by when we aren’t given the opportunity to become a better person. Why in the world would anybody want to stay the same?
When I wrote Blue Like Jazz I was dirt poor and weighed 387 pounds. I was terrible at relationships, codependent and confused.

I think the way he was when he wrote this book is exactly why it connects with me still today. I don't know about you but I have spent many years as a broken person desiring to find answers and solace, some healing and hope. In Blue Like Jazz I was able to see and hear his brokenness and confusion and it resonated with me. It helped me know I am not alone and it’s ok to have brokenness and questions. Where he is today - a changed man - inspires me to keep growing and changing. Not to stay in that brokenness or confusion but to keep seeking and finding answers.

If not answers at least freedom, hope and peace on the way.

Based on his most recent book, Scary Close and his Storyline Blog it is evident he is not the same. This is exactly one of the things that makes Donald Miller one of my favorite authors in this category (personal development / religion / spirituality). His raw ability to face who he is through his seasons of life without fear and not only face it but share it with others gives me courage to do the same.

"It was one of those enlightenments, one of those honest looks in the mirror in which there is no forgetting who you are." - Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

I highly recommend this book and hope you experience moments like I did when I read it for the first time, the second time, the third time...

Happy reading!