Inspired in no small part by the wonderful ‘Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society,’ my newly formed book group met for the first time this week. Over copious amounts of carrot cake, we gathered together and discussed our first book: Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen.
I confess, I have had this book on my bedside table for well over a year now — my avoidance based not on my lack of interest in the topic, but conversely, almost entirely on the knowledge that it would in fact make me very uncomfortable. The good thing about a book club, however, is that it actually forces you to read convicting books that you are trying to ignore. So I did — and I was not wrong.
At the heart of this book is a pretty straightforward, yet convicting message — one that in all likelihood speaks directly to the hearts of women everywhere.
You are trying too hard to be enough
You will never be enough
Jesus is enough for you.
As a type A perfectionist, striving is in my blood. I knew from the first page that I needed this message, and will probably need to be reminded of it over and over again for the remainder of my life. Thankfully, I’m not alone. As I sat in my living room with these wonderful ladies, we were all able to identify with and confess our sin of striving. Comparing ourselves with others, trying to reach an impossible set of standards that we alone have set for ourselves. To prove that we are enough — to ourselves, our spouses, our children, our friends, and even God. Chasing a line of success that is constantly moving further and further away, leaving us exhausted, overwhelmed and buckling under the weight of everything we are trying to carry. Approval and validation. Guilt, and shame.
But where does all this striving leave us?
I’m sure I am not the only one who can identify with the image Jennie painted: Exhausted, overwhelmed, checked out and numb. Scrolling our social media feeds and watching endless hours of Netflix – because we’re just too tired to do anything else. Our wells are dry.
We need Jesus. The Living Water that never runs dry. Whose streams of water are enough to meet all of our needs. In Him we find fulfillment for our deeply thirsting soul. We find connection and rest in the midst of our loneliness and exhaustion. In the midst of our shame we find abundant grace and hope for the greatest of fears. And when we take a tentative step towards Him, and risk it all, He is there, on the other side of our comfort zone waiting to pull us out of our passivity and into the calling He has for each one of us.
Why are we trying so hard to do things for Jesus in our own strength? Jennie asks, when instead He wants us to do things with Him. With His abundant resources, power and strength, that are beyond anything we can muster up ourselves.
Why are we trying so hard to break out of our ordinary, everyday lives in an attempt to be extraordinary? When all along Jesus meets us in our mundane and uses the most ordinary of people to do His work.
Why are we chasing mirages of joy in the desert and finding comfort in the counterfeit things of this world? When the Source of fulfillment and joy is ready and available to quench our deep thirst and refresh our tired, weary souls.
And yet here we are, on the safe side of our comfort zone. Scrolling through Facebook and watching Netflix. Exhausted by another day trying to do it all, and demoralized by our failure to manage it. No wonder we’re not happy — this is not the life He has planned for us.
This book has a powerful message for all of us. As little branches we can do very little on our own. Our primary responsibility is not to focus on producing the very best fruit but simply to remain attached to the Vine, the Source of life. And then watch as the fruit, His fruit, comes in abundance.
“We do not change the world with might and power and creative strategies. We watch God change the world when we pray and abide and believe ~ Jennie Allen
If you are so very tired of striving, mama, I hope you pick up this book and hear its message.
Stop trying to prove yourself. Rest in the knowledge that you are not and will never be enough, but He is. Let His Living Water fill your well today and embrace the season of abundance that follows.