Grace for the Good Girl

I've been starting to read a great book called Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily P. Freeman.

These words stuck out as I was reading tonight:

"When we believe that God expects us to try hard to become who Jesus wants us to be, we will live in that blurry, frustrating land of Should Be rather than trust in The One Who Is. We will do whatever we believe it takes to please God rather than receive the acceptance that has already been given. We will perform to live up to what we believe his expectation is of us rather than expectantly wait on him.
...
Jesus is calling us to a deeper, truer, freer identity. All he wants is simply you—minus your good works, minus your perfect attendance, minus your politeness. When you really believe that, you may discover that all you want is Jesus, simply Jesus. Not just to get to heaven or to help you be a good person or do the right thing, but to simply love and be loved by him."

Wow.

There's already been so much good that has come out of reading the first two chapters of this book. I'm really excited about reading the rest of it. Praying for lots of fruit as I read! This book is a sweet gift from my God.

I'm so glad Eric heard them talking about this book on Moody radio. I'm glad he decided to tell me about it. I'm glad God helped me to have the humility to take Eric's suggestion to check it out. I'm glad I put it on my registry. I'm glad my friend bought it for me as a wedding gift. God sure is in the details. He knows our needs.

Rest for our souls… exactly what we need.

Andrew Peterson's new album just came out. He sure has a knack for sending new music my way just when I need it… or God has a knack for that. Probably the latter.

His new single is called "Rest Easy," and I love it. I love it because its message is exactly what God is trying to tell us… and it's exactly what I find so hard to believe. The song goes like this:

You are not alone

I will always be with you

Even to the end

You don’t have to work so hard

You can rest easy

You don’t have to prove yourself

You’re already mine

You don’t have to hide your heart

I already love you

I hold it in mine

So you can rest easy

Do not be afraid

Nothing, nothing in the world

Can come between us now

You don’t have to work so hard

You can rest easy

You don’t have to prove yourself

You’re already mine

You don’t have to hide your heart

I already love you

I hold it in mine

So you can rest easy

You work so hard to wear yourself down

And you’re running like a rodeo clown

You’re smiling like you’re scared to death

You’re out of faith and all out of breath

You’re so afraid you’ve got nowhere left to go

Well, you are not alone

I will always be with you

You don’t have to work so hard

You can rest easy

You don’t have to prove yourself

You’re already mine

You don’t have to hide your heart

I already love you

I hold it in mine

You can rest easy

Wow. Really? I don't have to prove myself? I'm already Yours? I can rest easy? This makes no sense! This is a completely counter-cultural message. Everywhere we go, we hear other messages from the world:

You must perform to get ahead.

You must be striving, striving for more—more beauty, money, youthfulness, intelligence, fame, approval.

You must seek security in the things of this world—the things that don't ultimately satisfy—the things that moth and rust destroy.

You must be the best.

And make everyone happy.

You must.

You.

Must.

In the midst of all these forceful voices from the world, the voice of our God rings all the more sweetly: "You don't have to work so hard; you can rest easy. You don't have to prove yourself; you're already mine! You don't have to hide your heart; I already love you. I hold it in mine. So, you can rest easy."

The beauty of the Gospel.

Thank you, Lord, for making a way for us to rest easy. Help us to remember who we are in You. Remind us of the one true Message that really matters. Protect us from the lying voices. Help us to rest easy—for our good, and for Your glory.