It's interesting that his publishers/editors/whatever were discussing different titles to this book, and I'm sure they could have gone with others. Max breaks down the Beatitudes discussed in the most famous sermon Jesus ever taught in this book, so I'm sure something with that in mind was thrown around the room. But in all honesty, this title catches your attention. If you were in the bookstore and saw a book with the focus on the Beatitudes, you might be interested but you might also pass it by because it is discussed so often. But then you see this and it stops you with a fantastic idea: Heaven is applauding you.
I'm getting overwhelmed just thinking about it now. The rest of the book is very good. As I said, Max breaks down the Beatitudes and explains it in a way I've never heard of in the many, many times I've heard this sermon being discussed. I honestly never thought of "those who hunger and thirst" being the spiritually hungry and thirsty. Max peppers in some personal anecdotes and stories of others along the way, and those are always great in fleshing out his points. Just like his other book I recently read, he doesn't try to dive too deep into teaching. To put a food metaphor on it, these two books feel like oatmeal and apple sauce: they will fill you and sate a hunger, but if you really want to get into the pancakes and sausage links, you can find it elsewhere. Which, as it happens, is exactly what he's talking about when he mentions those who hunger and thirst!
It's a good book but the part that still gets me is the end. When I've finally run this race to the end and I cross the finish line into Heaven, there's going to be applause. You can keep your crowns and mansions. I think the best reward is seeing the God of the universe joyfully welcoming me home. And now I'm crying, so thanks for that, Max.