“Why am I here?” is arguably one of the biggest and often daunting questions we face as humans.  While there are many books designed to help people discern their reason for living, Sent to Soar: Fulfilling Your Divine Potential for Yourself and for the World is exceptional for its interfaith perspective and its clear text readily accessible to people of all backgrounds and education levels.

 

Rev. Poos-Benson, a leading voice in progressive Christianity, mines the wisdom of many of the great spiritual heroes—Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, Lao Tzu—to reveal the pattern for how God works in the world. He believes God has sent each of us to fulfill a unique destiny; in order to find meaning in life, we must understand why we have been sent and then fulfill that purpose.

 

Approachable and relatable for people of all backgrounds and education levels, each chapter is broken down into specific topics, making it easy to read it all at once or jump to the subjects that most interest each reader.  The book begins by discussing divine purpose as it relates to many of the world’s religions, then moves on to such topics as free will and  how to  discern your true passions.  It then deeply discusses evil, trauma and suffering, explaining that it’s possible to find happiness despite the evil in the world.  Finally, readers will learn how to use their purpose unitively to better the world in its entirety.

 

Having been one of the first responders after the Columbine High School shootings, Rev. Poos-Benson is well-qualified for his focus on the thorny issue of great trauma and accident. With heartfelt honesty, he discusses his experience with the tragedy and its aftermath and empowers readers to become aware of how the Divine is moving through their lives in spite of tremendous suffering and evil.

 

Each chapter ends with a set of questions for individuals and groups to further ponder and reflect, making it ideal for book club discussion.  Sent to Soar is a vibrant text that leads to healing and self-transformation.

 

Rev. Dr. Stephen Poos-Benson has served as a pastor, life coach and spiritual guide for 30 years. A first responder to the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School, he played an integral role in the healing and