Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count

by David Platt

USA TODAY ,  PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, AND ECPA   BESTSELLER • The author of  Radical  takes readers on a  soul-searching journey through impoverished villages in the Himalayan mountains, daring them  to make a difference in a world of urgent need, starting right where they live.

“Grippingly vulnerable and unforgettable. I could not put this book down.”—Ann Voskamp, author of  One Thousand Gifts

While leading a team on a week-long trek of the Himalayas, bestselling author and pastor David Platt was stunned by the human needs he encountered, an experience so dramatic that it "changed the trajectory of my life." Meeting a man who'd lost his eye from a simple infection and seeing the faces of girls stolen from their families and trafficked in the cities, along with other unforgettable encounters, opened his eyes to the people behind the statistics and compelled him to wrestle with his assumptions about faith. In Something Needs to Change , Platt invites readers to come along on both the adventure of the trek, as well as the adventure of seeking answers to tough questions like, "Where is God in the middle of suffering?" "What makes my religion any better than someone else's religion?" and "What do I believe about eternal suffering?" Platt has crafted an irresistible message about what it means to give your life for the gospel--to finally stop talking about faith and truly start living it.

Praise for Something Needs to Change

“Rugged. Authentic. Gritty. Real. Worshipful. There are no other books like this one. I always pick up David’s books with a sense of excitement and, quite honestly, apprehension—because I know that areas of compromise and complacency in my life are going to be exposed. But this book exceeded even my high expectations, for which I am grateful. And so will you be. As David writes, it’s time to run, not walk. Let’s go.” —J. D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention

“Extraordinary and challenging. I’ve just never read a book like this before. I am so moved. Bring your full heart to this story and watch how God opens your eyes, changes your mind, and broadens the dreams you have for your life.” —Annie F. Downs, best-selling author of  100 Days to Brave  and  Remember God

“If you dare to read this book, you might just have an unexpected encounter with Jesus that leaves you weeping on the floor, as David’s experience did. Something changes within us when the seemingly overwhelming needs of the world present themselves simply in the life of a single person. Ultimately, I pray your compassion will be transformed to action.” —Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, president and CEO of Compassion International

Genres: Christian

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2021

About the author

DAVID PLATT serves as Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and chairman of Radical (Inc.), an international ministry that serves the church for the cause of Christ—to glorify God by making disciples and multiplying churches among all nations. Resources from David Platt and Radical can be found at radical.net.

Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, and Something Needs to Change, as well as the following volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series: Exalting Jesus in Matthew, Exalting Jesus in James, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and Exalting Jesus in Galatians.

David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Connect with David on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Reviews

[DT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was on sale, and didn’t bother reading the synopsis on the back. I really wish I had.

David Platt writes about a trek through the Himalayas and the people he met along the way who prompted him to reconsider how Christians in the West may not be living according to Jesus’ teachings.

There was nothing wrong with the content or teachings from Scripture. It’s just not what I expected. It also isn’t particularly ground-breaking, either.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed. Felt as though the author just wrote this book for the money; and carefully put together this book to make it seem genuine. If the Holy Spirit is speaking differently to you about this book please let me know. My biggest beef was not the content- I do truly believe that many American Christians have no idea how privileged they are (I say this, being an American who follows Jesus living in South Asia right now). While I believe the stories, meaning, and goal of the book are incredibly important, this book felt dishonest, disingenuous, and written for clout. I hope to find a book similar to this, but much better.

[Kyle Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please don't read this book if you don't want God to call you to become a missionary. This is the best book I have ever read and likely will ever read. The book that made me want to become a missionary. This book might put desires in your heart that make you scared of where God could lead you in life. That is exactly what it did to me.

"How would you want a person on the other side of the world to live if you were on a road leading to an eternal hell and no one had ever told you how you could go to heaven."

Not sure exactly what the right answer is, but I do know the wrong answer is how I am living my life right now.

[Adrienne Terrebonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this account and the perspective David Platt brings from the Himalayan mountains. It brings new convictions and has made me think about ways to engage unreached people groups and how to live my life in such a way that others see Jesus in me.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. I liked the way it was written in a narrative format but also convicting with it's truth throughout.

[Matt Sones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, moving journey forcing us to confront the urgent needs in our decaying world that can only be met through the resurrecting power of the gospel of Messiah Jesus.

[Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. Very challenging to us to see how we are using the gifts and positions that God has given us to leverage them for the same of those in dire spiritual and physical needs!

[Preston Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooked

[madison van meter · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely brought the need for missions to the front of your mind, but i didn’t fully agree with some things platt believes

[Reagan Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Challenging, humbling, & encouraging. Especially liked the part about Luke 11:5-13.

[Hannah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I think it’s a helpful resource for Christians who have found themselves become apathetic to the world around them. It helps people who do not have the time/ability/resources to go on a short term mission trip experience what one is like.

Read it in conjunction with David Platt’s other book, Radical!

[Joshua Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy convicting and heart wrenching story that constructs a lot of Platt’s missiogy