It Is What You Make Of It by Justin McRoberts

Publisher : Thomas Nelson (June 1, 2021)

Paperback : 208 pages

It Is What You Make of It SUMMARY

In It Is What You Make of It, Justin McRoberts dares you to move beyond “it is what it is” thinking. He wants you to become an agent of love and redemption in your household, neighborhood, and workplace.

“It is what it is”—a common phrase you hear and maybe even say yourself. However, the truth is that there is nothing in our human existence that simply is what it is. Justin McRoberts invites you to embrace a new mindset: it is what you make of it.

With warmth, wisdom, and humor, McRoberts shares key moments from his twenty-plus years as an artist, pastor, singer-songwriter, and author. Moreover, he passes on lessons learned. About making something good from what you’ve been given rather than simply accepting things as they are.

Thought-provoking but actionable, It Is What You Make of It declares that love doesn’t just win, mercy doesn’t just triumph, and light doesn’t just cast out shadow. Rather, such renewal requires the work of human hands and hearts. You must be committed to a vision of a world made right (or at least a little better). When we partner with God, we love the world well and honor the Creator in whose image we are made.

We will not be remembered for who our parents were, where we were born or our socioeconomic circumstances. We won’t be remembered for our talents and strengths or the opportunities we were given. In the end, each of us will be remembered for what we made with what we were given.

REVIEW

I’m having a wee bit of a midlife crisis.  Not in a motorcycle and convertible kind of a way (I already do both) but in a “nexts steps” sort of way.  I have lived a long enough life at this point to know we don’t live just one version of our life.  We are always evolving and growing, living a bunch of smaller, stages of life divided by major events.  High School, college, marriage, kids, moving, jobs…these things creates pockets of a life created by the purpose that drives you.  

I just happen to be in a transition. I left corporate America when my kids were born to open a photography studio.  I’ve been doing that for 15 years and it was a great mom job.  But I’m facing down the reality of becoming an empty nester in the next two years and the hustle that defines the life of a small business owner is making me more tired than excited.  

This book arrived at just the right time.  It Is What You Make of It helps you step back and look at what makes you say yes and what makes you say no.  It’s a chance to redefine your gifts and use your resources to create.  It’s about asking for help and using talents to help others.  

I really enjoyed this short, no nonsense book.   The author mixes practical advice with humor and real life lessons. It was inspirational but also filled with actionable steps that left me feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed.  Each chapter ends with a series of questions to help you think through everything.  

This book would be perfect as a graduation gift!! Or for anyone struggling to grapple with what’s next – whether returning to work post pandemic or making a life change after all we’ve been through.  

Thanks to @thomasnelson @wpublishing @justinmcroberts and @tlcbooktours for sending this book. I’m thankful I got to read, review, and provide one lucky follower with a free book of their own! Details are over on my Instagram account.

You can pick up a copy of the book here.  To read more of my reviews, check out the rest of my blog.  To enter the latest giveaways and see what I’m currently reading, head to my Bookstagram account in IG.  And to listen to me chat all things bookish and share my latest reviews, head to my Booktube Channel. 

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