If you have ever heard the song Courageous or Praise You in this Storm, you know the voice of Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns. Not only is Mark Hall a talented musician, but he has also been in ministry for 20+ years. Together with Tim Luke, Executive Pastor at the church where Mark serves, they have written a new book entitled, Thrive: Digging Deep. Reaching Out.
One look at the cover of the book and I knew this book was going to cause me to pursue God even more. I knew that this was about growing roots and strengthening my relationship with God and branching out, hence the metaphor of the tree. I knew I was going to be challenged. I knew the words would probably go straight to my heart since just about every Casting Crowns song has that effect.
I just knew.
In the very first chapter there are two lines. You blink and you might miss them, but if you do, you will miss the point.
You were meant to do more than just survive.
You were meant to thrive.
Wow.
I wasn’t even on the second page of the book and I’m hit with something I needed to hear. As a second year homeschooling mom, wife, daughter, sister, blogger, etc. I have often felt like I am barely treading water. Sometimes I’ve felt like I was sinking. I was not created to feel that way.
I was meant to thrive.
But, even when we are thriving and growing in relationship with God it doesn’t end there. Our job is to make Him known. One of the most enlightening statements in the book has to do with God’s calling. I am sure many of you have felt the way I do, that God has something great in my future, somthing big. While that may be true, it’s not what He wants me to concentrate on. These next words were like a wake-up call.
God is not calling you to something in a year. He’s calling you to something NOW.
Another wow.
I believe God spoke to me directly through the words of Mark Hall. I needed to hear that. Desperately. This book has changed the way I view my fairly new, little blog. God called me to venture out of my comfort zone and start another blog when I was already busy with one. I listened, even though I didn’t have the words. Then, as sometimes with bloggers, I got caught up in the blog numbers game and started to think about where God might take this blog in the future. But he’s not calling me to write it in the future. The future is NOW.
I get that now. I understand what this book is saying. Dig deep into God’s Word and my faith. Thrive now and reach out in ways I never knew I could…because God has picked me for this time.
Don’t wait to pick up this book! God is ready to use you in amazing ways and if you are ready to read this book, head over to Zondervan Books to find out how you can get a copy of Thrive for yourself!
*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”*
