Paul Thorson has wrecked me - in a good way. This book has been able to stretch and challenge me into the depths of what's usually forbidden territory: inside of me.Thorson shares his own story, his own testimony, his own journey of how God has molded him into who he is today and probably prepared him for what's to come ahead. As a teacher, missionary, and church-planter in the Ukraine, one is supposed to have all the answers figured out to all the questions - but sadly, but rightly I think, this isn't true. And his own realization of this comes out through his words."Whether we are in formal leadership roles or not, underneath any cultural reasons for our self-protection are pride and unbelief. We misunderstand something. We think others will be drawn to Christ by our changed life, but it's our changing life that connects our realities with their realities. That's what interests them: the process, the in-between." (p. 43)"Is it possible Gideon is saying, 'Give me these signs because I don't trust my ability to recognize Your will? I want to do Your will, and I need to be sure this is it. It's not that I think You are not trustworthy, Lord - I'm just not sure about myself.' (p. 125)I'm hoping the disjointedness of the quotes pulled out above will actually make an impression of the process as Thorson has described. He stays biblically grounded and astute, and still pulls that last nugget out on Gideon that really tweaks my thoughts on what might've been going through his head when God was leading him to lead Israel - and how many times do we really hear from God and then write it off for our own fear or our own lack of understanding? How many times have I missed God because I'm afraid to confront Him with my doubt, with my lack, with my own perception of what's still lacking?Painting In The Dark flips on a switch in a dark room - but only for a moment, giving just a quick glimpse at what the room looks like. But then it's flicked back off, leaving it to me to navigate through the darkness with what little light I've been entrusted. It's my own walk, my own journey alongside as I've read of his struggles and successes. I've appreciated this one more than some others for its real-ness and honesty, and I hope I can lend this one out to a few others who might find themselves longing for someone else to flip the switch, too.