Unfiltered Christianity
  • Home
  • Bible
  • Experiences
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Subscribe
Unfiltered Christianity Unfiltered Christianity

Real life conversations without the filters

Unfiltered Christianity Unfiltered Christianity
  • Home
  • Bible
  • Experiences
  • Lifestyle
  • Lifestyle

The Alchemist: 5 Things I Learnt From Reading It

  • July 18, 2018
  • Alroy Ndhlovu
6 min read

Paulo Coelho, the Alchemist is changing my life!

If you haven’t read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, then I cannot stress enough how important it is that you read it. Yes, life has taught me that not everything is for everyone but It would be some kind of injustice if I never at least tried to share the existence of this book with you.

In summary, The Alchemist is a magical (more spiritual than magical really) story of a shepherd boy who goes on a mission to fullfil his dreams. Along the way he meets up with people that play either the antagonist or protagonist role in him reaching his goal. He faces obstacles that he must overcome if he is to get to his destination. Throughout the story this young boy has to make sacrifices and take risks- some pay off and some leave him in dispair. Through all of this, there is one thing the boy continues to discover, it is that he cannot give up and that everything happens for a reason and it is part of the universes’ way of conspiring to help him obtain his desire.

I could go on and on but here are five things that stood out the most to me as I read the book:

1: God Speaks To Us In Many Ways

The first thing I learnt from the whole experience of reading the book is that God can speak to us in many ways. In the story the boy was constantly encouraged to listen to the universe. Wherever he was, he was to silence the commotion in his heart so he could better listen to his environment. Whenever he did this he always received insight so deep it had me praying to God and asking Him what I need to do to be that deep. The concept isn’t alien to the bible, because in many passages of scripture we get to see that God can speak to His people in so many ways. He can use anyone, anywhere and anything. We just need to be silent enough to listen (Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Isaiah 30:21).

2: Our Comforts Zones Are Rarely Where We Should Be
Sheep
George Miller

So as you may know by now, the young boy was a shepherd. I mean, he was doing fine before all this “follow your dream stuff” came about. For the longest time he felt it was his dream. He left home and the calling to be a priest so he could travel the world as a shepherd. To him being a shepherd was one thing, it was the means in which he could fulfill his true desire and that was to see the world. As the story progresses we find out that his heart was not at peace and that the universe conspired to challenge him to pursure his truest desires, no-matter what the cost. I see a lot of that boy inside of me. There are so many things I can do and therefore live a pretty safe life but there are not what I really want to do. Like the boy I had to make some tough choices and take some risks so I could go in search of my treasure. Unfiltered Christianity is one. Media is another. There are many. I’ve realized that when I do anything outside of the things I really love, I am not happy. Seeing I only live once, I choose to pursue my passions. Again, the bible is not silent to this idea, check these verses out: Proverbs 14:12, Ecclesiastes 3:11 and Matthew 16:25.

3: Life Is All About Sacrifices

If you do not yet know and accept this truth then I am sorry to say this to you but life is going to catch you off-guard a lot of the time. I think sacrifice has got to be one of the main pillars of our existence. In The Alchemist the boys makes a lot of sacrifices just to get to where he wanted to get. He sacrificed his sheep and therefore his profession (remember this was his comfort zone). He sacrificed his money, his social life, his safety and at times even in his life. His heart was solid, it was set on reaching his treasure and he spared no expense, no-matter how painful it was. He counted the cost of reaching his target. I will be honest, I am still learning the character of sacrifice but what have learnt thus far has created in me such an interesting force. I sacrifice a lot but I can do more. For me to do a lot of what I do involves sacrifice. Unfiltered Christianity is a sacrifice. But I am determined to see my dream come true so I press on. The principle of sacrifice is no stranger to the bible, look here: James 1:3, Luke 14:25-33, Mark 10:45.

4: God Is Always Hanging Around Somewhere

Look, I am going to take a chance on this one but based on how I read the book they seemed to be one character that was present with the boy every step of the way but as a different person all the time. Maybe its the massive amount of science fiction and fantasy I watch but indulge me this one time. This boy first meets a woman who tells him about a treasure. He then meets an old man called Melchizedek who seems to know a lot more than he should. Then there was the man at the crystal shop and then there was the alchemist. They all played a very key role in directing him towards his destination. They were all somewhat wise or very supernatural. I could be wrong about the gypsy and the crystal guy but I refuse to be wrong on the other two. Look, what I am trying to say is that along the way, as you journey through life or Christianity and even as you seek to realize your dreams God is there, every step of the way, if you choose to see it. I believe He is often disquised in ways we cannot easily tell right away or if we are not listening carefuly. The boy picked it up but sadly I do not a lot of the time, I am starting to learn how to use this power a lot more intentionally now. There are scriptures in the bible in which God disguised Himself and some just show that its a thing. Check these out: Genesis 11, Genesis 18, Hebrews 13:2.

Desert
Keith Hardy
5: Your Treasure Is At The Finish Line

I dare not spoil the book for you so I won’t tell you how it all ended. What I will say is that I learnt that in the end, those who follow their hearts and are guided by the “Soul of the World” (to me this is God), will find their treasure (Revelation 21:7).

That’s it!

 

 

 

If you’d like to buy the book you can get it on Amazon. Amazon has a global shipping feature so they can ship it to anywhere. Just click on the book below and you will be directed there.

 

PS: Remember, you can be part of the conversation by adding your views in the comments below. Feel free. Also, don’t forget to share this article to those you feel it would be of help to.

Share
Tweet
Pin it
Share
Share
Related Topics
  • alchemist
  • book review
  • books
  • following your dreams
  • passions
  • the alchemist
Alroy Ndhlovu

Alroy Ndhlovu is a photographer, video story-teller and digital media specialist amongst other things. First and foremost however is that he is passionate about God, speaking and about telling stories using media. He is also the founder of Unfiltered Christianity.

Next Article
  • Bible

The Parable Of The Ten Virgins: How It Is About “Working Out Your Own Salvation”

  • July 18, 2018
  • Alroy Ndhlovu
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Experiences
  • Lifestyle

I Was Caught Up in Religious Extremes

  • Nombasa Kumalo
  • June 21, 2019
woman on beach shore
View Post
  • Lifestyle

The Victim Mentality: How to Bust It For Good

  • Nombasa Kumalo
  • March 18, 2019
Meditation
View Post
  • Lifestyle

Meditating In a Stressful World: Why & How To Meditate

  • Alroy Ndhlovu
  • January 27, 2019
View Post
  • Lifestyle

Issa Trap: How to Escape the Cycle of Social Media Pressure

  • Nombasa Kumalo
  • January 2, 2019
View Post
  • Lifestyle

7 Bible Study Resources That Can Improve Your Devotional Life

  • Alroy Ndhlovu
  • October 28, 2018
View Post
  • Lifestyle

I Often Feel Like Giving Up: Here Are 5 Things I Do To Recalibrate

  • Alroy Ndhlovu
  • August 27, 2018
View Post
  • Lifestyle

In My Feelings: 4 Steps To Take When Dealing With The Feeling Of Shame

  • Nombasa Kumalo
  • August 22, 2018
View Post
  • Lifestyle

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: An Unfiltered Review

  • Nombasa Kumalo
  • August 5, 2018

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us
Instagram
Trending Posts
  • 1
    Honouring the Rhythms and Cycles of our Lives
    • May 3, 2020
    • Nombasa Kumalo
  • 2
    I Was Caught Up in Religious Extremes
    • June 21, 2019
    • Nombasa Kumalo
  • 3
    I Feel Entitled: The Sin That Has Been Festering Inside Me & Maybe You
    • March 29, 2019
    • Alroy Ndhlovu
  • 4
    Have You Ever Been Hurt By The Church? How I Got Over It
    • March 25, 2019
    • Luyanda Sibanda

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter

Unfiltered Christianity

Christianity without the filters...

Unfiltered Christianity is for all of those people who are tired of blind religion and all the fakeness. It is for those people who want to live a full, honest and freedom filled life in God. It isn’t a platform to argue theology, there are many platforms and churches for that, but it’s a platform that will provide a space for people to be real, vulnerable and to express themselves- flaws and all.
More
Quick Links
  • About
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Social Accounts
Instagram
© Unfiltered Christianity. All Rights Reserved

Input your search keywords and press Enter.