Heaven's Wager: a Computer Crime / God Lover's Novel of Suspense by Ted Dekker

I just closed the cover on my second reading of Ted Dekker's Heaven's Wager. It isn't often that I read a book twice, but this story really connected with me around four years ago, and I decided to give it another shot. Without giving too much away (cause, yes, I hate spoilers too), the story revolves around a young and talented computer programmer, Kent Anthony. Kent's work at a Denver bank is consuming. He has no time for anyone, barely time for his family and lives for the satisfaction of writing his computer code for an advanced money processing system. He is convinced that his program will make him famous, noticed and of course, wealthy.

As an Information Systems professional, I could really identify with Kent's "getting into the job" of writing picture-perfect code... the kind of stuff that make's others sit up and take notice. And after all, who doesn't want to accomplish things like that? But at what cost?

Not all goes well for Kent, however, when tragedy begins to strike close to him. Dekker at this point begins to document Kent's descent into madness. This character is hell-bent to make others pay -- and he's not afraid to use his brilliant skills to concoct the perfect crime.

Over the years I've had a lot of time to think about this story. Parts of it even reflect on my own life, it's one of the reasons I read it twice. Now before you think I've gone off the deep end, let me reassure those reading this -- I'm not about to go out and do anything criminal. The similarities go to my relationship with God. In the book, God is pursuing Kent Anthony. In real life, He's also pursing me.

I didn't expect to recognize scenes that have happened to me. Take for example, Kent's reaction to seeing a stranded motorist on the side of the Interstate. He's never pulled over and helped. That's just not him. People who are stranded have obviously not planned ahead. They're obviously from the "stupid" side of the street. So, kent is not stopping. No sirree. No way....Yet, here is a car coming up that has drawn Kent's attention... and he can't stop thinking about it. Can't stop noticing it. The car is highlighted in his mind, and he doesn't know why. Suddenly, he HAS to stop. Just has to. Which leads to --- (well, that would be a spoiler, wouldn't it?)

I can really relate to that. I can remember (like I could ever forget) looking at a list of names on a prayer list, and having one particular name just leap off the page as though a Heavenly highlighter just squeaked over the name several times. The burden to pray for this person would come next and I found myself crying out to God for a name, a person, I didn't even really know. Month's later, I'd learn that this person was helped by that prayer. At that exact time, on that exact day... wow. Still blows my mind.

"Coincidences" in life... they're pointing me more and more to the hand of a loving Creator. Dekker has a way of weaving that into his story. Everything is there for a purpose. Pieces are being moved. People are put into situations for just the right reason. Circumstances are not always what they seem. There is a plan behind things.

I love it!

Looking for a story with adventure, romance, crime -- it's all here. But watch out. You might also find that your circumstances begin to take on a new look. It could it be that the very situation you find yourself in today might very well have been orchestrated by love incarnate. Hmmmm. Fascinating thought.

So, keep your eyes open. Way open.

And as Dekker says, "Dive deep."