Life Altering

 

Today was our first day back to the real world after Christmas and all these snow days.  I was ready to get back into the swing of things, but thanks to this amazing book and my dear friend Tracey who made me read it I am very tired today.  You know a book is amazing when you swallow it whole in under 24 hours. 

 

This book is written by a Mom blogger named Glennon Doyle Melton, who is a recovering "everything" including bulimia, alcoholism, and drugs.  Jesus took her from the pit of destruction and now He uses her past to share His love with others.  She is blunt, unapologetic at times, and extremely real.  I will admit that she is way more liberal than I am, but I love that she is open to Jesus using her to bring others from the pit that she is very familiar with. 

 

There was one part of her book that made me gasp with clarity and has altered my thinking about my life has a christian.  She used the analogy of swimming in the swimming pool to describe our walk with Jesus.  She asked if we were "shallow end christians" who showed up but didn't get too messy in their walk with Jesus.  Their hair never got wet, feet remained planted on the bottom, and their makeup remained perfect.  If it becomes too hard of work, they can always jump out and warm up on their blanket. 

 

Then she described "deep end christians" who are so sold out to Jesus that they are totally immersed and working like crazy for Him.  Their hair is wet and they are totally relying on Him to keep their head above water.  They are relying on Jesus instead of having their feet firmly planted on the bottom of the pool. 

 

That analogy clicked with me big time.  At different times of my life I could have been found in either the deep end or the shallow end.  After finally finishing the last page of that book last night I had some quiet time with God.  I told Him that I am desperate to be in the deepest water with Him.  I am desperate to tread water and kick like crazy to teach others about Him.  I want to be that christian that works so hard for Jesus.  I want my life to be so sold out to Him that when it is pool check and time to come out of the water, I flop in the lounge chair totally spent with wet hair and swimmers ear. 

 

If you have read this book, please comment and let me know your thoughts on it!