Colliding with the Call: When Following God Takes You to the Wilderness

by Corella Roberts

I’ve surrendered to following God’s will, but this is not what I expected. Where’s the peace? The joy? The fruit? Did I somehow miss the call, God?

Sound familiar? Those were Corella’s questions, too, as she found herself in a literal and spiritual wilderness after answering the call to become a missionary teacher in remote Alaska. Through these pages, you’ll journey with her to unearth glimpses of God’s purpose for those seven dark years. With tenderness and conviction, she examines the reality of the wilderness in the life of the believer and the scriptural truths that offer hope in the midst of disappointment.

Corella’s story of undoing and rebirth in the wilderness just might be your story, too, if you dare to let God take you there.

274 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

Corella Roberts makes her home in Northern Thailand where she and her husband partner with an international school to "Serve the Servants." Their first missionary teaching assignment landed them in the remote bush of Alaska, which you can read about in her newly released book, Colliding with the Call. From tundra to tropics, her life of following Jesus has been nothing less than story-worthy, and she loves using her experiences to encourage others to connect deeply with God. You can often find her cleaning up Legos, cheering for their school's sports teams, or meandering their local produce market in search of mangosteen and lychee fruit.

Reviews

[Debbie Chronister Patrick]

As I was reading this book, our daughter who is also a missionary, was making huge decisions regarding her journey in missions. This book, was exactly what I needed to encourage, support and know how to pray for her. I read this book, in one sitting, because, I found it fascinating. I do have a soft spot for missionaries and the sacrifices they make to follow God’s call, I also, loved the title of the book “Colliding with the Call” I believe each of us face this at one time or another, and I felt after reading the book, it is okay to collide with the call, just continue and trust God in that call.

[Robert-Elizabeth Lumkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down. Corella authentically opens up her life and heart to her readers. Her journey around the globe and in her walk with the Lord was compelling. Although most of her story in remote Alaska is utterly foreign to me, I intimately identified with her inner process of unmet expectations, unanswered questions and unshakable faith despite the many challenges. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading a unique story of adventure and finding God's enduring peace.

[Laura Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that is a must read EVERY year! It touches so many different aspects of life. You can read it once and you will find yourself doing a bunch of underlining and highlighting in one chapter. Then when you read it again the next year, due to the always changing circumstances and phases of our lives, you will begin to highlight a completely different chapter and wonder why in the world you weren’t highlighting this one like crazy last time you read it, and so on and so on. Before you know it, the margins will be full of notes, the print colored with highlighter marker, and the pages well-worn.
This book will encourage you, challenge you, teach you, and open your eyes to be able to better understand things in this world that you maybe have had a hard time grasping.
“Colliding with the Call” has easily made its way to my top 5 list of best books!

[Christine Anasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colliding with the Call gives a real look at missions life. Corella paints a beautiful picture of what happens when our call does not lead us where we thought it would. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has felt a call. The devotional aspect of the book will help strengthen your journey with the Lord.

[Kathy Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It contains questions throughout which prompt personal reflections or group discussions about our faith journeys. I found the book relatable and encouraging.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the retelling of her personal story and struggles along the way, Corella has allowed herself to be vulnerable and transparent so that she might help others that find themselves in a season of spiritual wilderness. Though her story reaches out from the depths of the call to the mission field, in chapter after chapter I have found helpful insight in working through my own spiritual collisions, even though I'm not on the field. A must read for any believer at any season of their life.

[Caroline Camons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corella writes with an openness and humility that is so refreshing. She talks about areas that every one of us struggles with, and makes us realize that we're not alone. Her stories about her experiences as a missionary teacher are funny, poignant and heart-wrenching, yet so inspiring. She makes the reader pause and think about life, how it turns out mostly opposite to our expectations, and how our God is always there for us, through thick and thin, good and bad, happy and sad. Each chapter ends with questions that cause the reader to reflect on his or her own life. I can't recommend reading this enough!

[Twyla Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rich and flowing with life-giving words. I love how Corella weaves her story throughout. She goes back and forth seamlessly from story to reflection. I absolutely loved the book and highly recommend it!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is not clean-cut. The battles are not easy. And our hearts are often not as straight-forward as we would think. Ask any ministry worker, and they can tell you this for certain. But can they define this in their own lives? It's difficult to put words to such deep emotions, struggles, and yearnings.

In "Colliding with the Call," Corella Roberts invites us into her story (and, in a way, our own), exploring depths of disappointment, heartache, and crushed images of glory--and finally ending in a place of healing and redemption.

And all this without cliches or easy fixes. Let me just say, that is not an easy feat. There are plenty of messages out there to tell you how to "Be Your Best Self Now" or how to "overcome" heartache and past scars simply by thinking you're better than the pain. But not this book. And that's what I so appreciated as I read Roberts's words.

In her beautiful writing style, Roberts frames a devotional journey that leads straight to the source of life and healing itself. In a vein similar to Velvet Ashes, she exposes her own hopes--hopes with which many Christians can relate: transforming a community, reaching a lost soul, mending a broken heart, establishing a family--and how the dashing of those hopes draws her to the heart of God.

I admire this book and the deep soul-searching that went into its pages. My only caveat: I wish that Roberts had used a less controversial translation than The Passion Translation (TPT) as her source for one verse. However, this only occurs once, and other more reputable translations (NASB, NIV, etc.) are used consistently.

"Colliding with the Call" left me with a lot to think about. I know that I will be reading it again--and most likely more than once.

[April Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colliding with the Call takes the reader on a journey with Corella which will ignite a fire for missions for all who yearn to know more about what it takes to follow Him. Corella’s passion to share with others is a beautiful love for her calling in Christ. I truly admire her heart for writing the book so that others may learn from all the experiences the Lord lead her and her family through while giving God all the glory in the journey.

[Amber Dueck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I needed to read in this season of my life. It is a fairly "easy" read but the questions that Corella chooses leaves with you at the end of each chapter causes you to think deeply about the topics addressed. Corella uses interesting stories from her time in Alaska (and some from Thailand), to share about her own struggles and her wrestling with God about unmet expectations and unanswered questions. I believe that this provides simple and yet profound messages for all those who read it. I definitely want to read it again.

[Kelly Passchier · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Colliding with the Call, I felt like I was getting a great three-in-one deal. One layer is the author's fascinating story of heading out into the wilds of Alaska and then on to Thailand as the she follows God's call on her life into missions. The second layer is a refreshingly honest reflection on the challenges and realities of cross-cultural living outside of old comfort zones. The author's insightful reflections delve deeper into the spiritual dimension of life and the personal growth and formation that comes as she engages with God and what He is doing in her heart throughout her journey. The third element in the book is the application and connection to the reader's own journey. Throughout the book, the author invites the reader to consider their own life's journey with questions that encourage and challenge the reader to reflect on their own life and what God has been doing along the way. Whether your physical life's journey has taken you across the street or across the world, the author affirms each person's journey of personal and spiritual formation and encourages the reader to keep going further up and further in with the Lord. This is a wonderful book!

[Lynn Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corella has a gift for painting a picture with her words. She lays herself out and shares her vulnerabilities in a way that I connect with and it teaches me that I am not alone in striving to follow God, but feeling inadequate. I am not in missions but this book spoke to me as a believer. It brought me a little closer to God, and what higher praise is there than that.

[Kristin lindeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait to read this book a second time! Corella masterfully weaves her compelling story of the call to and life in Alaska and beyond, with deep teaching of God’s truth, convicting exhortation and encouragement. Her use of Old Testament narrative and New Testament parables with her own tongue-in-cheek, subtle humor and bare-it-all vulnerability is unlike any style I’ve read before. For me to A) want to finish a book B) actually finish it quickly and C) plan to read it again with journal and pen by my side?! Well, that tells you this one is worth your time.

[Rutha Ebeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colliding With the Call is a pleasing, versatile book. As a memoir, it is a “light” read with heartfelt stories that inspire and entertain. As a devotional guide, it provides evidence of God’s goodness, encouragement for difficult days and questions to ponder.

I could have read it more quickly than I did, but I chose to encounter the book rather than simply read it. I’m glad I did. I feel enriched by the stories I read and the time I spent in contemplation and prayer while reading Colliding With the Call.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading Corella’s story! What a fascinating tale of being called to teach in a small Alaskan village. All the troubles and trials she faced as she followed God’s calling on her life. Just to end up in Thailand, facing new woes. All along, God never leaves her. He always has a hand in her story, as He is the writer, the author & finisher of faith. I do recommend this wonderful story!

[TRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful journey of a young missionary woman trying to heed the call in difficult locations, while also balancing being a wife and mother. Relatable, timely and provides an opportunity of reflection for anyone going through difficult times, no matter the circumstances.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Colliding with the Call, Roberts shares personal stories from her time as a missionary. She shares the struggles, joys, and the messiness of involving yourself in the lives of others as you serve God. While I found some of the stories Roberts shares interesting, I found them lacking in detail in some places or follow-through that brought the story to a conclusion. I found a lack of timeline present, with large gaps missing. I struggled to find the main point of the book - it was a jumble of memoir mixed with Bible teaching that didn't quite mesh for me. I also found the questions at the end of each chapter distracting and not entirely helpful.

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is my own, honest opinion.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, a reminder of truths we know, as well as informing us of truths we didn't know but are applicable.

[Tim Wester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A devotional book using some illustration. Would have liked more details of life in Alaska and Thailand