The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity

by William Paul Young

The woman’s desire—and the word is actually her turning—so the woman’s turning was not to the works of her hands but to the man, and his response was to rule ‘over’ her, to take power over her, to become the ruler. Before the choosing, she found her identity, her security, and her understanding of good and evil only in me, as did man.” “No wonder I feel like a failure with Nan. I can’t seem to be that for her.” “You weren’t made to be. And in trying you’ll only be playing God.” Mack reached down, picked up a flat stone, and skipped it across the lake. “Is there any way out of this?” “It is so simple, but never easy for you: by re-turning. By turning back to me. By giving up your ways of power and manipulation and just coming back to me.” Jesus sounded as if he was pleading. “Women in general will find it difficult to turn from a man and stop demanding that he meet their needs, provide security, and protect their identity, and return to me. Men in general find it very hard to turn from the works of their hands, their own quests for power and security and significance, and return to me.” “I’ve always wondered why men have been in charge,” Mack pondered. “Males seem to be the cause of so much of the pain in the world. They account for most of the crimes, and many of those are perpetrated against women and”—he paused—“children.” “Women,” Jesus continued as he picked up a stone and skipped it, “turned from us to another relationship, while men turned to themselves and the groun...