Yes, I am here for another book review and author interview!
Have you ever thought about walking away from the church? Have you already left it in your heart? Does it seem like it’s not relevant to your life?
It’s time for a revolution. A holy uprising. A love riot.
Not content with safe religion that demands nothing of us, Sara Barratt is calling you to stop giving in to the status quo and devote yourself fully to Christ, following Him no matter what your friends do or the culture around you promotes. Sara challenges you to hand everything over–your comfort zones, your time, your loyalty, your pride–and invites you to embark on a radical journey of passionate love for Christ. Because once you experience His love, it will transform your life.
Love Riot is a battle cry from one teen to another to embrace a life of wholehearted commitment and relentless abandon for Christ . . . no matter the cost.
I wish I had been able to read this years ago when first struggling with my faith. Sara doesn’t just speak about why Christian teens should come back to the church. She goes in depth about our need to love Christ and to show Christ’s love to the world around us. This is one of the few books I’ve read that I wish I could give it more than just five stars. I recommend this to anyone, not just teens.
But I will give a warning. If you intend to give this a casual read, you won’t be successful. If you read this book, prepare to be convicted and encouraged to fully and completely fall in love with Jesus Christ and to be burdened to share His love with the world. As the famous Scottish Olympics champion and missionary to China once said,
“Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!”
~ Eric Liddell, 1902-1945
As Christian teens, we need to have our sleeping faith awakened. We might be the only gospel people will ever read. As Christians, we need to love Christ and to show His love to the world.
Excellent work, Sara! I hope this benefits as many readers as it did me!
And thank you so much for agreeing to this interview!
1. What was the biggest challenge you faced writing Love Riot?
Self-doubt. My own insecurities, compounded with what I believe was spiritual attack, led me to constantly wonder things like, “Why would God want me to write a book?” and “Why should people believe me when I struggle myself?” However, as I prayed about these struggles, I began to realize that the problem wasn’t that I need to have more confidence in myself, I needed to have more trust in God. As I’ve studied Scripture, I’ve noticed over and over a message of God using weak people. I believe God is glorified in stories of weakness, because they can place the focus on His strength, instead of our own ability. As 2 Corinthians so poignantly says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”(4:7) I know my own weakness, but even more I know the strength of my God! While this was a struggle during the writing process, I’m thankful for how God has taught me to rely upon His strength.
Yes, I agree with you so much on this!
2. Why the title, Love Riot?
The concept of a love riot is that of a spark or explosion of passion for Jesus that can launch us from apathetic bystanders to wholehearted followers. It’s not the journey, but rather the beginning of the journey. Passion and commitment are vital in the life of a Christ-follower. Passion leads to commitment, and commitment sustains passion. The beginning of a “love riot” is that first spark of passion. A quote from Elisabeth Elliot sums is up well, “I have one desire now—to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”
Ah, yes, this makes so much sense!
3. What is your greatest goal with Love Riot, whether it’s the book or publishing?
My greatest goal is to bring glory to Jesus. I know that might sound cliché, but it’s totally true. Jesus has transformed my life. He’s absolutely everything. More than anything else I want Love Riot to exalt His name and be a part of sharing the gospel—because there’s no other message more worthy to share than that.
It doesn’t sound cliché at all! And besides, everything we do is supposed to bring glory to God, including our writing. ^_^
4. If you had to describe the message of Love Riot in six words (like those six-word stories), how would you put it?
Reject apathy. Live sold-out for Jesus.
5. If there was only one thing your book would accomplish, what would you want it to be?
To change someone’s life. If Love Riot draws even just one person to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior or to inspire someone to follow Him in a greater way, I’d be so thankful!
Yes, absolutely!
6. Are you intending to write and publish anything else in future, fiction or non-fiction?
Shhh….I might have a secret. *wink* Let’s just say I’m still writing and I have something suuuuuuuper exciting coming in a few years. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!
Ooh, how exciting!!! Looking forward to it!
Thank you so much again, Sara, for letting me interview you!!
Sara Barratt is an author, speaker, avid reader, chocolate lover, and lead editor for TheRebelution.com. She wrote her first book Love Riot: A Teenage Call to Live with Relentless Abandon for Christ when she was eighteen. Her passion is challenging and encouraging her peers to live sold out and set apart for Jesus. When she’s not writing or dreaming up new book ideas, she loves spending time with family and friends, taking long walks, drinking copious amounts of tea, and scribbling down random thoughts that eventually get lost in her purse. Come hang out with her on Facebook and Instagram.
The Dancing Bardess 
Eek! I can’t wait to read this. (: Thanks for the review!
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You’re welcome!
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