Andrew
Book Review
Edmore Zvinonzwa
BOOKS, by their nature, are diverse in terms of their types, genre, forms, style of writing and concerns among other key characteristics.
Dr Olivia Gumbo’s recently launched “It’s for You Lord: Surrendered to His Will”, explores the writer’s journey, which is in two formats.
In one way, it is a journey of life where the author takes readers through her personal development from youth into adulthood. That way, the book becomes biographical.
However, there is another journey that the writer wants to take readers through. It is a spiritual journey, that is, her journey in prayer.
In her personal journey, she tells of the conviction and confidence that her father had in her.
“Ever since I was a little girl, my father would refer to me as Professor. A loving man, whom I have always been able to rely on, the effect of this term of endearment served the purpose of sowing seeds of inspiration in my mind.” (p7)
As a result, Dr Gumbo pursued her higher education beyond a degree and found herself starting a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration at the University of Zimbabwe.
She now has a PhD and her sights are set on attaining a professorship, thus satisfying her father’s wish.
The writer shares something very interesting with her readers. Oftentimes, people marvel when they meet rich personalities but at times these riches might have been ill-gotten.
Dr Gumbo looks at her encounter as well as the mentorship that she received from Pastor Tom Deuschle. She highly values the lessons she drew from the top cleric’s book “Building People Building Dreams”.
One of Pastor Deuschle’s nuggets “money follows ideas, so think big and connect” is quoted in the book and the author adds: “He also shared with us that a wealth transfer was taking place and we needed to grab opportunities that would come our way as this was a season of suddenlies.” (p20)
As an illustration of her prayerfulness, the author has dedicated a chapter to “Prayer is Power”.
Here, she writes: “I was taught to pray without ceasing when I received Jesus as my personal Saviour in 1992. Prayer is how we communicate with God, and it is a demonstration of our faith. A lifestyle of continual prayer is a testament to a committed relationship with the Lord.” (p25)
“All these business ideas came to me through prayer after I had committed to be a Kingdom Entrepreneur… I have started to declare that I cannot live small, I cannot talk small, I cannot walk small because God has big plans for me.” (p63)
Perhaps the admission of growth she makes in Chapter 9 is one of the most important in the book.
“Since starting my reformation journey, I have begun to sense that God was also transitioning me into a greater level of influence as my ideas, entrepreneurship, and stewardship continued to grow,” she writes.
“Walking with the Lord is not a straightforward journey. It’s full of mystery as God often shows us the next step ahead and none of the others beyond that! It requires trust and obedience, and a committed Christian will need to be ready to be accountable and vulnerable to others because none of us can do this alone.”
This exhortation to pray and believe makes the book a believer’s manual.
It carries many key lessons for success within the realm of the Lord. It shows that prayer is the secret of success. Some of its lessons like the need for people to look for mentors and accountable partners in life who help keep you on track are invaluable.
Last, but not least, it says “Time spent in prayer is not wasted; it is an investment to your breakthroughs.” (p102)
Purchasing the book, which is available on Amazon and at Innov8 outlets, will see a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting the Research Hub for Children with Disability –ReHUBCD –an organisation that Dr Gumbo supports.
The book is not only inspirational but transformational as well.
Online Reporter