NCLA Review - Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt 11:30) Why then do so many of us feel like God’s work, even our spiritual growth, rests heavily on our shoulders? Searching for an answer to that question, Alan Kraft closely examined his own thoughts and actions. As he did so, the Holy Spirit revealed overlooked sins and mixed motivations that undermined his efforts. Kraft concluded that although Christians try hard to please Jesus and do God’s work, we often get the cart before the horse. No wonder we feel overwhelmed—pushing a cart is really doing it the hard way! What we see as Jesus’ burden may be misplaced responsibility. Although Kraft’s perspective challenges a widespread understanding of how to please God, he presents it with scriptural backing in a kindly style that recognizes and applauds the desire to do so. His honesty encourages the reader to follow his soul-searching example. Pleasing God, he believes, can be as natural and renewing as breathing, and he shows us how. Rating: 4 —DKW ( )