The Shack

Chapter 16

· Mack is awakened by Papa, appearing to him as an older man with a pony tail and goatee. (p.219)

“This morning you’re going to need a father.”

· Mack and Papa grabbed their tools including Sarayu’s gift to Mack and left for the trailhead. (p. 220)

· Along the trail, Papa points out to Mack a small red arc marked on the trees. (p.220)

· Mack still wants to know if Papa could have prevented what happened to Missy. (p. 221)

“There was no way to create freedom without a cost, as you know. I knew creation would rebel, would choose independence and death, and I knew what it would cost me to open a path of reconciliation. Your independence has unleashed, what seems to you, a world of chaos, random and frightening. Could I have prevented what happened to Missy? The answer is yes.”

§ What emotions go through you knowing that God already knows what is going to happen but doesn’t always prevent it?

· Papa goes on to explain that the only thing he has to offer Mack is His love and goodness, and his relationship with him. (p. 222)

§ Is God’s love, goodness, and relationship enough for you or do you want something more?

· Papa wants to show something painful to Mack, but first Mack must forgive Missy’s killer. (p. 223)

“To help you see it, I want to take away one more thing that darkens your heart. Son, this is not about shaming you. I don’t do humiliation, or guilt, or condemnation. They don’t produce one speck of wholeness or righteousness, and that is why they were nailed into Jesus on the cross.”

§ Do you believe God doesn’t do humiliation, guilt, or condemnation?

· Mack doesn’t want to forgive Missy’s killer, he wants Papa to hurt him, punish him, and put him in hell.

“Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It is about letting go of another person’s throat.”

§ Is there someone in your life that you have by the throat?

· Mack calls out to Papa to help him forgive Missy’s killer. (p. 224-225)

“Help Papa. Help me! What do I do? How do I forgive him?” “Tell him.” “How Papa?” “Just say it out loud. There is no power in what my children declare.” “I forgive you. I forgive you.” Papa held him close. “Mackenzie, you are such a joy.”

§ Have you ever been in a situation where you cried out to God and you felt as if He was holding you close?

· Papa finally tells Mack that they are there to bring Missy’s body home. (p. 228)

· Papa and Mack entered a maze of rocks, where Papa pointed out more red arcs. (p.229)

· Papa stopped in front of a pile of rocks and asked Mack to help him move them. (p.229)

· Papa and Mack go inside and Papa unwrapped Sarayu’s gift and it filled the place with wonderful living aromas and scents. (p.230)

· Papa passed Missy’s body to Mack…Mack says “I forgive you” under his breath, and began walking back, holding the body of his daughter close to his heart. (p.230)