The Secret Place of Thunder

Trading Our Need to Be Noticed for a Hidden Life with Christ

By: John Starke

Narrated by: Stu Gray

Why do we feel like we are always performing? Where does this impulse come from?

As John Starke shows in The Secret Place of Thunder, our modern world has internalized the idea that the markers of having an admirable and successful life are primarily visible. It leads us to believe that a sense of self-worth and identity are metrics to be displayed. The performance of the self has become more important than the reality. We live as if the most important things about us are to be performed before others; that our deepest happiness will come from being who others think we ought to be.

But when Jesus says, "Do not practice your righteousness before others," he is leading us to believe that the most important things about us are hidden. How does the Bible lead us to live primarily before God? How does Jesus lead us to wholeness?

Jesus teaches us to live, not for the eyes of others or even for ourselves, but in the secret place where our Father in heaven sees and rewards.

Deep truth that I needed

Touched the hurting places in me. Answered questions in my heart. Highly recommend to others

The comparison of the performative life to the life of Christ, following and living as He did not having to be seen

The audio was a little bit faster than I expected and needed it to be.