Perfect Chaos

The first book I wrote, The Philosophy of a Mad Man, was in two parts: ‘My Journey’ and ‘My Philosophy’. The journey section of the book was autobiographical, recalling my spiritual journey, which at the time of writing had taken me from an obsession with meditation and enlightenment to a journey through the mental health system and finally onto reading the Bible and beginning my relationship with Jesus.

It is perhaps strange that a debut book written at a relatively young age should be autobiographical, but I felt my spiritual explorations had been rich and full and I wanted to get the story down on paper, partly to process what had happened, and partly to encourage others and share the excitement that I felt from a new-found interest in philosophy and theology. Little did I know at the time that philosophical theology would become my life’s great passion.

The ‘My Journey’ section of the book ends with the following line:

“Only God can turn a life around. Trust in Him and never give up hope.”

I wrote that line when I was in a very positive season of my life. Despite several spells in psychiatric hospital, I had found good accommodation, I had inherited some money, and I was feeling grounded and happy. I would subsequently suffer a series of relapses, with frequent admissions to psychiatric hospital, so that line I wrote was far from final, even though it seemed to indicate closure at the time of writing.

I think that in general, we all have seasons of joy and seasons or suffering. It was naive of me to think that at the age of 30 my lows were over and my life was ‘turned around’ permanently. But at least the experience of writing that book captured a chapter in my life story, and I hope the book has helped encourage some readers to go deeper in their spiritual journey. One reader commented that the book had made her reconsider her atheistic position and perhaps believe there is a God, and I’m delighted if the book has the potential to make that kind of impact.

It’s true that the only way someone’s life can turn around is by the grace of God. God is sovereign over all events and has the power to bestow good or ill on a person for whatever reason He chooses and at whatever time He chooses. We should always look to Him as our source of comfort, direction, and hope.

If you’re going through a difficult season right now, know that even though you might not be able to see a way to better times, there is a way. God can turn it around. Infinite possibilities exist for God in every moment.

Blessings,

Steven x

The Philosophy of a Mad Man is available exclusively from StevenColborne.com.