This year-long daily devotional book is truly different. Simon Guillebaud, founder of Great Lakes Outreach, is an evangelist, international speaker, social entrepreneur and networker who has spent much of his ministry working in war-torn Burundi, with his wife and children. Challenging us all to join him on the journey of radical discipleship and obedience to the call of the Great Commission, the author says: “join me on this daily journey – we follow the same Lord Jesus – and hopefully hear the same call to surrender”.

In contrast to his other books, which are action-packed calls to mission and testimonies from his own ministry, this devotional digs down below the surface to uncover the source of Guillebaud’s passion and the biblical underpinnings of his attitude to self-sacrifice.

Each page follows the usual devotional format, starting with a Bible verse, followed by the author’s commentary and perhaps a relevant personal anecdote, then a prayer asking God to give the reader grace to respond to what has been written. What is inspiring about this book is that unlike other devotional classics, its author is still alive and putting into practice the principles that he shares with his readers. This makes the book doubly challenging.

Guillebaud’s writing (and entire ministry) is an antidote to the watered-down presentations of the gospel we so often encounter today. His own story is one of life on the edge, of adventure, cost and great reward as he follows in the footsteps of Jesus. This thought-provoking and inspiring book will invite you and encourage you on the same journey. It would be an excellent Christmas present so it can be read daily from the start of 2020 – but it’s not for the faint-hearted!

‘Choose Life: 365 Readings for Radical Disciples’ (365pp, paperback) retails at £12.99 and can be purchased from Eden, Amazon and elsewhere online. Also available as an e-book. Find out more about the author on his blog www.simonguillebaud.com, and visit the book’s website at www.chooselife.org.uk.

Simon Guillebaud is also author of a number of other books, including:

• ‘More Than Conquerors: A Call to Radical Discipleship’ (previously ‘For What It’s Worth’)
  
• ‘Dangerously Alive: African Adventures of Faith Under Fire’
  
• ‘Sacrifice'