Wrapped in Gold by Charles Gilbert is a memoir of redemption from the destructive power of goalless living. So, I firmly believe it’s bound to have a life-changing impact on specific categories of readers worldwide. It also automatically finds a place in the ‘vital to life’ book category! What’s unique about the author’s redemption story is his rather rare personality type: one who thrives when working independently but quickly loses himself when mingling with the wrong crowd, resulting in his slowly drifting back to his former criminal life. When self-realization strikes him, he takes back control and starts working independently, honestly, and diligently. The overwhelming results amaze him and, in the process, he becomes irrevocably attracted to the surpassing sense of triumph, fulfillment, and dignity a ‘clean’ life brings. (Who could ever give up the fulfillment a life of integrity, dignity, and self-worth brings?) That “marriage” to clean living was forever, and it now fuels his continual pursuit of an upright life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment,” aptly describes the author’s situation in his youth. To gain the acceptance of his peers, he imitated them without regard for the consequences. As a result, he ended up using drugs, drinking excessively, and engaging in petty crime. He was in and out of jail. Tired of this vicious cycle, he ventured into the construction business where he became a tremendous success, personally and financially. This marked the first time he began living a life of fulfillment and purpose through honest work. And he loved it so much that it eventually changed his life, so today, living clean and upright is of utmost importance to him.
You’ll like reading this book because it’s a straight-from-the-heart narrative of the author’s life. Another notable feature is its brevity—the average chapter length is just 2-3 pages, making it an easy and engaging read. Remarkably, one of the high points of the book is how it reaffirms Jesus’ all-surpassing teaching on love: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” The author echoes this sentiment in the chapter titled ‘A Room Full of Charlies’ (p. 125): “My whole thing is this: love hard on everyone. Especially the ones you can’t stand.”
In the troubled world we live in, where scores of confused and disoriented people are struggling to make sense of life and discover what will bring true fulfillment, this book offers light and hope. It might even save some who are on the brink of despair.
I recommend it to all who find themselves where the author was in his young days, particularly those who struggle with devastating “heart over head” issues and cannot strike the right balance between the two.
