cover image Do You Have the Courage to Be You? You Were Created On Purpose for a Purpose

Do You Have the Courage to Be You? You Were Created On Purpose for a Purpose

Jenny Williamson. Next Century, $24.95 (256p) ISBN 978-1-62903-833-9

The premise of this spirited if insubstantial self-help primer from Williamson revolves around one central principle: your Creator made you for a specific purpose, and you've got to fulfill that purpose because you are the only one who can. Readers who don't subscribe to the Christian belief system underlying this idea may not find Williamson's advice very applicable, but those who do will find an inspiring spiritual journey about living to one's full potential. Variations on the subtitle appear too often throughout, considering that Williamson's main audience will require no convincing. The book works better when Williamson is offering thoughts about finding her own purpose, which was to create an organization, Courage Worldwide, Inc., that constructs homes for sexually-trafficked children. While certainly full of optimism and encouragement, this book is not ideal for those searching for their specific direction in life, as it does not contain much variety in viewpoint or any exercises for improvement. Rather, it is for the individual struggling with the question of whether life has meaning at all—and receptive to an enthusiastic answer steeped in Christian faith. (Apr.)