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The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life
Before You Die,
Live the Life
You Were Born
To Live.
When you come to the end of your days, you will not measure your life based on success and failures. All of those will eventually blur together into a single memory called “life.”
What will give you solace is a life with nothing left undone. One that’s been lived with relentless ambition, a heart on fire, and with no regrets.
On the other hand, what will haunt you until your final breath is who you could have been but never became and what you could have done but never did.
The Last Arrow is your roadmap to a life that defies odds and alters destinies. Discover the attributes of those who break the gravitational pull of mediocrity as cultural pioneer and thought leader Erwin McManus examines the characteristics of individuals who risked everything for a life they could only imagine. Imagine living the life you were convinced was only a dream.
We all begin this life with a quiver full of arrows.
Now the choice is yours. Will you cling to your arrows or risk them all, opting to live until you have nothing left to give?
Time is short. Pick up The Last Arrow and begin the greatest quest of your life.
Live the Life
You Were Born
To Live.
When you come to the end of your days, you will not measure your life based on success and failures. All of those will eventually blur together into a single memory called “life.”
What will give you solace is a life with nothing left undone. One that’s been lived with relentless ambition, a heart on fire, and with no regrets.
On the other hand, what will haunt you until your final breath is who you could have been but never became and what you could have done but never did.
The Last Arrow is your roadmap to a life that defies odds and alters destinies. Discover the attributes of those who break the gravitational pull of mediocrity as cultural pioneer and thought leader Erwin McManus examines the characteristics of individuals who risked everything for a life they could only imagine. Imagine living the life you were convinced was only a dream.
We all begin this life with a quiver full of arrows.
Now the choice is yours. Will you cling to your arrows or risk them all, opting to live until you have nothing left to give?
Time is short. Pick up The Last Arrow and begin the greatest quest of your life.
210 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
620 people are currently reading
2516 people want to read
About the author
Erwin Raphael McManus
52 books506 followersErwin Raphael McManus is an iconoclast known as a cultural pioneer for his integration of creativity and spirituality. He is an artist, entrepreneur, and cultural thought leader who is also the founder of MOSAIC, a community of faith in Los Angeles California. Known for their innovation, creativity, and artistry, MOSAIC has been named one of the most influential and innovative churches in America.
Engaging such issues as culture, creativity, change, and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator, poet, and wordsmith. His travels have taken him to over 50 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, from professional sports, Wall Street investors, universities, film studios, and conferences across the world.
McManus is the author of Soul Cravings, Chasing Daylight, and other leading books on spirituality and creativity. His newest book is The Artisan Soul: Crafting your Life into a Work of Art.
Erwin Raphael McManus sees the imagination as the principle vehicle through which we create a better self, a better world, and a better future. He argues that creativity is both uniquely human and the essence of human uniqueness. Creativity, McManus contends, is a natural expression of our spirituality. When we are most fully alive we create out of love all that is good and beautiful and true.
Erwin has a BA in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Southeastern University.
Engaging such issues as culture, creativity, change, and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator, poet, and wordsmith. His travels have taken him to over 50 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, from professional sports, Wall Street investors, universities, film studios, and conferences across the world.
McManus is the author of Soul Cravings, Chasing Daylight, and other leading books on spirituality and creativity. His newest book is The Artisan Soul: Crafting your Life into a Work of Art.
Erwin Raphael McManus sees the imagination as the principle vehicle through which we create a better self, a better world, and a better future. He argues that creativity is both uniquely human and the essence of human uniqueness. Creativity, McManus contends, is a natural expression of our spirituality. When we are most fully alive we create out of love all that is good and beautiful and true.
Erwin has a BA in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Southeastern University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
September 6, 2017
One of the sloppiest books I’ve read in some time. McManus contends that we’re all born for greatness and abundance, but resort to mediocrity for any number of reasons (fear, ignorance, regret, etc.). And the passage he uses to illustrate this is an obscure Old Testament text, which doubles as the title of his book (2 Kings 3:14–19). It has nothing to do with living in “greatness” or “abundance” and his framing of these topics denigrates faithful living day-to-day, which is the majority of our Christian lives biblically-speaking.
At one point, McManus devotes a whole section of his book to talking about how the Bible is “wrong” when it says in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun based on an personal interpretation of the text that could be easily solved if he’d pick up a commentary. There was nothing explicitly Christian about his message. An unbeliever could pick up the book and agree with everything he says. Ultimately, God becomes a means to our ends (dreams/passions/destiny) rather than the Lord of our lives.
The most shocking portion of the book came towards the end when he recalled the final words of Christ on the cross—“It is finished”— as an example of a “man” who did all he was born to do. His application of that text? That Christ lived a life without regret and a deep sense of fulfillment and we should go and do likewise. That’s as close to the gospel as he got and that’s an extremely dangerous message that misses the entire point of Christ’s ministry as well as the point of those words (“It is finished”).
There are so many great books available on Christian faithfulness and finding purpose in Christ. The Last Arrow is neither.
At one point, McManus devotes a whole section of his book to talking about how the Bible is “wrong” when it says in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun based on an personal interpretation of the text that could be easily solved if he’d pick up a commentary. There was nothing explicitly Christian about his message. An unbeliever could pick up the book and agree with everything he says. Ultimately, God becomes a means to our ends (dreams/passions/destiny) rather than the Lord of our lives.
The most shocking portion of the book came towards the end when he recalled the final words of Christ on the cross—“It is finished”— as an example of a “man” who did all he was born to do. His application of that text? That Christ lived a life without regret and a deep sense of fulfillment and we should go and do likewise. That’s as close to the gospel as he got and that’s an extremely dangerous message that misses the entire point of Christ’s ministry as well as the point of those words (“It is finished”).
There are so many great books available on Christian faithfulness and finding purpose in Christ. The Last Arrow is neither.
September 14, 2021
I have read my share of books in the genre of spirituality. I have come across authors that grasped my attention and I dived into their messages. And a year ago, I came across this author’s latest book “The Way of the Warrior.” He left me in awe with his wisdom and power of passing on meaningful messages in a straight forward manner.
The focus of this book is what does it mean to live without fear or regret? The author, and pastor and Mosaic, while facing cancer, he makes a decision – “while cancer may define how I die, it would not define how I live.”
The intention of this book is: never surrender, never settle, save nothing for the next life.
You have no control over your abilities such as talent, intelligence or physical attributes. But what you can control is whether you live your life by the status quo or you defy the odds.
Average is a safe choice. It protects you from the risk of failure and it also separates you from future of greatness. Therefore, you do not want to settle. It’s better to make a mistake and learn from it, rather than stay safely in the same place and learn nothing. Let go of things that don’t matter and experience what matters.
Through author’s experiences and others, the author presents clearly the case what it means to never settle and to be truly free, what is most important in life and how you get to those conclusions.
Life is about choices, figure out who you are, what matters to you and start taking choices that drive you in that direction.
And when you figure out the meaning of your life, then “you need to find your people.” Surround yourself with people who make your life even more meaningful. “If you want to live a life of adventure, then choose a tribe that makes life an adventure.” (Yep, that’s my tribe)
The author mentions flying to Asia and his luggage going to Cairo, Egypt, and at the end, making it without his luggage. I can testify to that. A year ago, while flying to Istanbul, Turkey, my luggage got stuck at JFK due to snow storm. There were other fellow-travelers who were in the same boat and got affected by it. But I went to Turkey to experience the beauty of its places and rich culture; I didn’t allow a lost luggage to affect my spirit for travels. At the end, yes you can actually make it without a luggage and still have a phenomenal time.
I recently visited Egypt and been continuously asked about security. Where one sees restrictions, another sees something extraordinary. The point is – find your meaning, what makes you happy in life, and explore it. Don’t let others put restrictions on you.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The focus of this book is what does it mean to live without fear or regret? The author, and pastor and Mosaic, while facing cancer, he makes a decision – “while cancer may define how I die, it would not define how I live.”
The intention of this book is: never surrender, never settle, save nothing for the next life.
You have no control over your abilities such as talent, intelligence or physical attributes. But what you can control is whether you live your life by the status quo or you defy the odds.
Average is a safe choice. It protects you from the risk of failure and it also separates you from future of greatness. Therefore, you do not want to settle. It’s better to make a mistake and learn from it, rather than stay safely in the same place and learn nothing. Let go of things that don’t matter and experience what matters.
Through author’s experiences and others, the author presents clearly the case what it means to never settle and to be truly free, what is most important in life and how you get to those conclusions.
Life is about choices, figure out who you are, what matters to you and start taking choices that drive you in that direction.
And when you figure out the meaning of your life, then “you need to find your people.” Surround yourself with people who make your life even more meaningful. “If you want to live a life of adventure, then choose a tribe that makes life an adventure.” (Yep, that’s my tribe)
The author mentions flying to Asia and his luggage going to Cairo, Egypt, and at the end, making it without his luggage. I can testify to that. A year ago, while flying to Istanbul, Turkey, my luggage got stuck at JFK due to snow storm. There were other fellow-travelers who were in the same boat and got affected by it. But I went to Turkey to experience the beauty of its places and rich culture; I didn’t allow a lost luggage to affect my spirit for travels. At the end, yes you can actually make it without a luggage and still have a phenomenal time.
I recently visited Egypt and been continuously asked about security. Where one sees restrictions, another sees something extraordinary. The point is – find your meaning, what makes you happy in life, and explore it. Don’t let others put restrictions on you.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2025
Great for motivation. Awful for theology.
November 14, 2020
If you are looking for a book to light a fire within you, then look no further. This book is powerful. Erwin shares personal stories that make his points easily relatable. The manner in which he explains things and his ability to draw a clear picture are superb. I highly recommend this one to all my friends!
April 30, 2019
A book about how amazing the author is and, therefore, really pastorally insensitive.
August 16, 2017
From beginning to end McManus calls for expecting God to give His best. Reminding the audience that God doesn't give everything, every time without us giving to Him our complete devotion and expecting more.
Full of personal stories, and stories from the lives of those McManus has met along the path of life you can sense that is value to expecting more than average. The connections to the pages of the Bible show that God has done more than people have expected too many times for us to play it safe.
So strike the arrows, not once, not twice, not three times, but over and over until there are none left.
Full of personal stories, and stories from the lives of those McManus has met along the path of life you can sense that is value to expecting more than average. The connections to the pages of the Bible show that God has done more than people have expected too many times for us to play it safe.
So strike the arrows, not once, not twice, not three times, but over and over until there are none left.
August 17, 2017
This book has so much depth. There were times I felt like my toes were being stepped on, in a real, practical way. That's a good thing. The book will challenge you and propel you forward. I will study all the sections I highlighted. I will reread this book, as there is so much in there, I'm sure I'll glean more with a second reading.
February 21, 2020
I have a three chapter rule. Any book I deemed worth the read gets three chapters of attentive reading. Some fail. This was one of them.
McManus puts mankind as the centre of his errant theology, pushing for a greatness that belongs to God alone. I believe it’s the most dangerous type of book... one with just enough truth in a wayward message to ensnare less discerning/new believers. Chaffing against the conviction of the Holy Spirit aside, I found the writing style to be a bit rambling, disconnected from one thought to the next.
I realise I’m among the minority in such a review, but would still caution readers to ask themselves not what they can learn about themselves from books like this, but what they can learn about God... and when three chapters roll by with hardly a trace of scriptures the answer is a resounding “not a lot”.
McManus puts mankind as the centre of his errant theology, pushing for a greatness that belongs to God alone. I believe it’s the most dangerous type of book... one with just enough truth in a wayward message to ensnare less discerning/new believers. Chaffing against the conviction of the Holy Spirit aside, I found the writing style to be a bit rambling, disconnected from one thought to the next.
I realise I’m among the minority in such a review, but would still caution readers to ask themselves not what they can learn about themselves from books like this, but what they can learn about God... and when three chapters roll by with hardly a trace of scriptures the answer is a resounding “not a lot”.
January 2, 2018
This was very inspirational to me and the perfect book to arm myself with as I head into the new year. McManus opened my eyes to many passages in the scriptures revealing truths I’ve never been taught before. I have already begun to read it a second time so that everything I underlined can marinate a little longer. Don’t give up on or stop pursuing anything until you have used Every Arrow in your quiver.
February 9, 2018
This book was hit or miss for me; having read it on the heels of the prayer of Jabez, I found myself wanting more biblical explanations/insight. Portions of the book certainly challenged me, but it dragged more often.
May 19, 2021
Have never read McManus before or heard him speak, but have known of him for a long time. Watched a Netflix documentary entitled The Minimalists and his appearance on it reminded me that I've always meant to find out more about him.
Favorite paragraph: "So these questions need to be asked: If you are not where you want to be, why do you keep choosing to stay where you are? What will it take to jar you out of the security of where you are to pursue what can be obtained only in an uncertain future?"
Others have addressed this timeless subject similarly. McManus is pretty assertive about not waiting until tomorrow, living a purpose-filled life, and simply 'going for it.'
He tells his own story in blips, but there is a sense that he is not telling his whole story. Seems to love the rags to riches concept and indeed he has lived a great life that began in poverty in El Salvador to his life leading a megachurch, with mega celebrities, and mega millions. Loves to talk about his world travels, then his wife's world travels, then his son's world travels, and finally the daughter's. It's almost bragging, but he holds back. It's just all a bit self-centered as when he talks about his gym membership and his manicures. I honestly don't think he means for it to come off that way.
He's working hard to say that you never know what is around the corner. Might be good, might be cancer. What is clear is that this is a hyper-focused and ambitious man who is proud of his accomplishments. He does not say that 'anyone' could do the same, but he is all about encouraging people to put aside their fears and examine what is important to them. This is the greatest message here.
Favorite paragraph: "So these questions need to be asked: If you are not where you want to be, why do you keep choosing to stay where you are? What will it take to jar you out of the security of where you are to pursue what can be obtained only in an uncertain future?"
Others have addressed this timeless subject similarly. McManus is pretty assertive about not waiting until tomorrow, living a purpose-filled life, and simply 'going for it.'
He tells his own story in blips, but there is a sense that he is not telling his whole story. Seems to love the rags to riches concept and indeed he has lived a great life that began in poverty in El Salvador to his life leading a megachurch, with mega celebrities, and mega millions. Loves to talk about his world travels, then his wife's world travels, then his son's world travels, and finally the daughter's. It's almost bragging, but he holds back. It's just all a bit self-centered as when he talks about his gym membership and his manicures. I honestly don't think he means for it to come off that way.
He's working hard to say that you never know what is around the corner. Might be good, might be cancer. What is clear is that this is a hyper-focused and ambitious man who is proud of his accomplishments. He does not say that 'anyone' could do the same, but he is all about encouraging people to put aside their fears and examine what is important to them. This is the greatest message here.
February 17, 2018
Title: The Last Arrow
Author: Erwin Raphael McManus
Publisher: WaterBrook
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Last Arrow" by Erwin Raphael McManus
My Thoughts....
What a very interesting inspirational read where I enjoyed the stories that came from the Bible of Elisha and Elijah where one will learn how to embrace ones future. From this read I had thoughts of wanting to change my way of thinking about my future and just what I need to be now doing. This read will definitely give one a good understanding of what is asked of 'you and what is God's will not selling yourself short or giving up.'
This is definitely a inspiring read for one who wants a change in ones life where you find yourself just existing. One will be inspired and challenged to live a 'bold, purposeful and intentional life' where you can rise up and believe God for much more.
In the end "The Last Arrow" will definitely be a challenge and motivated to see you where you are now and what you are doing with your life. All in all 'The Last Arrow' deals with 'leadership, personal grown and most of all Christ like living' where one is given direction in just how one can be active in God's plan for our life's. Would I recommend this read? YES! It is a wonderful good read for ones soul.
Author: Erwin Raphael McManus
Publisher: WaterBrook
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Last Arrow" by Erwin Raphael McManus
My Thoughts....
What a very interesting inspirational read where I enjoyed the stories that came from the Bible of Elisha and Elijah where one will learn how to embrace ones future. From this read I had thoughts of wanting to change my way of thinking about my future and just what I need to be now doing. This read will definitely give one a good understanding of what is asked of 'you and what is God's will not selling yourself short or giving up.'
This is definitely a inspiring read for one who wants a change in ones life where you find yourself just existing. One will be inspired and challenged to live a 'bold, purposeful and intentional life' where you can rise up and believe God for much more.
In the end "The Last Arrow" will definitely be a challenge and motivated to see you where you are now and what you are doing with your life. All in all 'The Last Arrow' deals with 'leadership, personal grown and most of all Christ like living' where one is given direction in just how one can be active in God's plan for our life's. Would I recommend this read? YES! It is a wonderful good read for ones soul.
April 30, 2024
Once again Erwin gives us a vision for and challenges us to live our fully unleashed life - leaving nothing on the table. ‘What freedom do you think is on the other side of your fears?’. “Are you fighting the future or are you fighting for the future?’ Why is it important to shoot our last arrow - every day - and leave life with an empty quiver? “If for no other reason, we need to choose our most heroic lives, because a world desperately needs to see what it looks like to be fully alive.”. Erwin states the fact that we can’t grab hold of our future if we are holding onto the past. Let go. Step into the unknown in faith. Choose life. “The important point not to miss here is that no one can tell you your future. You have to decide what future you want, what future you will pursue, what future you must create.”
August 7, 2018
I belong to this Leader Impact Men's group that meets weekly and we have been going through each chapter of this book weekly. I've loved both reading the book and the discussions, so much rich material here. I also discovered the author's YouTube channel where he gives a chapter recap - a must watch if you read this book.
With just one life to live the author argues that we must give our all whilst we still have life so that at the end we didn't save anything for the future, we shot all our arrows. Amazing insights and though he's a christian I love how he tells the story is a "non-churchy" way and gets to the crux of what's really important in life. A must-read for everyone.
With just one life to live the author argues that we must give our all whilst we still have life so that at the end we didn't save anything for the future, we shot all our arrows. Amazing insights and though he's a christian I love how he tells the story is a "non-churchy" way and gets to the crux of what's really important in life. A must-read for everyone.
July 15, 2018
The fact of the matter is that this book lays it out there for you. It’s a ‘take it or leave it...but you better take it’ type of book. McManus is passionate, and that resonates with the reader. Apply the principles and wait to see what God will do in and through you. My complaint is really the pacing and the layout, it’s not the easiest read and doesn’t have the best flow. Content, pretty good. Flow, lacking.
January 13, 2018
My first DNF...it is me, not the book. I am just in a "no non-fiction for me right now" faze & guess what? That's just fine!!! I liked what I did get to read, very insightful but I just wasn't finding myself drawn to come back to pick up the book or intrigued to finish it. Again, this is totally a personal thing for my record of books read/attempted. xo.
May 10, 2025
In een middag uitgelezen. Een prachtige oproep tot voluit leven. En niet op een manier waarbij je jezelf voorbij rent, maar ieder op zijn eigen plek en manier. Betekenis geven aan je eigen leven en dat van anderen, en hierin niet terughoudend zijn maar moedige stappen zetten om dit te bereiken. Op die manier hoef je je niet af te vragen of je je leven vergooid hebt aan nutteloos tijdverdrijf maar heb je ten volle bijgedragen aan het mooier maken van deze wereld.
Scherp boek!
Scherp boek!
August 17, 2017
This is a phenomenal book!!! Erwin McManus inspires us to never settle, never quit, and to use EVERY arrow we've been given!! Get this book and give it as gifts...it's a MUST read for everyone who desires to leave nothing for the next life!!!
December 29, 2018
Erwin McManus at his finest. It has been a while since I have interacted with McManus, but this book was a great reminder of how influential he has been on my faith over the last two decades. Solid stuff.
January 7, 2020
This book was a quick and easy read that definitely motivates you to chase after your dreams and visions that God has given you, knowing that you never held yourself back due to self doubt . The book isn’t ground breaking in any means , you will have heard everything that he talks about in the book before, but it’s a nice summation to have it all together and to be inspired once you close the book to pursue the life God is calling you to .
August 17, 2017
One of the best. This book hit me right when I needed it most. This is a must-read.
August 17, 2017
This book is incredible. Inspiring from start to finish. This message needs to be shared with the world!! Highly recommended!!
April 16, 2018
Really enjoyed this book, I know Erwin’s thoughts can be all over the place but I understand Erwin’s heart and appreciate all his writings.
October 1, 2022
Didn't bother finishing it after reading two chapters.
April 26, 2023
This book helps us understand the brevity of life and the reason we need to make the most of each day. We need to die with no arrows in our quiver.
July 24, 2025
3.5 had some good nuggets of knowledge but not sure about of all of it
August 29, 2017
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher for review.
What an inspirational book. I could not stop underlining! I'll be reading it again. McManus has such a gift for empowering people and his words are so truthful, challenging, and strengthening. Highly recommend.
What an inspirational book. I could not stop underlining! I'll be reading it again. McManus has such a gift for empowering people and his words are so truthful, challenging, and strengthening. Highly recommend.
May 16, 2022
Challenging book. Pushes you to live your life “out there” and not in your safe space. A lot to think about as the author presents the point that living your life all in with nothing left to give is the way God wants us to live. Shows the negative to living a “safe” life.
September 1, 2017
I didn’t really come to enjoy reading and appreciate good books until I was partially through college, and even then, it was more about finding books I liked but had to read for assignments. Since then, I’ve come to enjoy reading, but as a result of being a “late-bloomer” I’ve often come across books that I wish I had read in my younger days. Although it wasn't around then, The Last Arrow would be one of those books. This is something that anyone should read, but I’d especially recommend this to a college student or someone early in their career as it helps provider focus to one’s life.
The Last Arrow deals with the prominent themes of living a life chasing after God. Life has meaning when connected to God. It provides adventure. Life with God gives one identity. It’s about creating a future not focusing on the past. It’s about community.
McManus will encourage and inspire you to move forward. Through the story of Elisha and Jehoash, he shows that life was not meant to be passive. We can’t choose safety, and that there is a sense of urgency in the lives God has called us to. We need to put it all on the line.
The Last Arrow deals with the prominent themes of living a life chasing after God. Life has meaning when connected to God. It provides adventure. Life with God gives one identity. It’s about creating a future not focusing on the past. It’s about community.
McManus will encourage and inspire you to move forward. Through the story of Elisha and Jehoash, he shows that life was not meant to be passive. We can’t choose safety, and that there is a sense of urgency in the lives God has called us to. We need to put it all on the line.
June 25, 2018
I love that he speaks with so much urgency. Moving and living with urgency is one of the traits I've being trying to adopt. Life is moving fast and we all need to get on the ride sometimes not knowing what the destination is but giving it our all, being present and being the light.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews