Written by Jennie Allen
Published at Thomas Nelson
About the book
Safe. Comfortable. Happy.
Words we all love. Feelings we want. Even crave. We may love God, but being that he's invisible, words like comfortable seem to feel better faster.
We are all chasing something. Our hearts were made to run hard and fast after things that move us. But as a generation we are all beginning to stir and wake up, identifying that these words don't satisfy for long, especially when compared to God. If God is real, and we are going to live with Him forever, shouldn't He be everything?
Caught in this familiar haze of worldly happiness and empty pursuits, Jennie Allen and her husband Zac prayed a courageous prayer of abandonment that took them on an adventure God had written for them.
"God, we will do anything. Anything,"
Anything is a prayer of surrender that will spark something. A prayer that will move us to stop chasing things that just make us feel happy and start living a life that matters. A life that is...
Surrendered. Reckless. Courageous.
If we truly know a God worth giving anything for, everything changes.
Who is Jennie Allen?
Jennie Allen’s passion is to communicate a bigger God through writing and teaching. She graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a masters in biblical studies and is blessed to serve alongside her husband Zac in ministry. They have four children, including their youngest son who was recently adopted from Rwanda.
My Thoughts
These days I sense that God is leading me to a place where I am willing to follow Him no matter what the cost. Actually, it started a couple of years ago as we went through a time a dryness in our family – we were down spiritually when our ministry had to close its doors, financially as contracts were not as numerous, and other things too. But since last year, we have opportunities knocking on our door – contracts and ministry. I have no clue what God is preparing us for and honestly I think I stopped questioning myself about this. I decided that after all He should be to hold the wheel on my life and my family as well.
I will admit that I hesitated to jump on board to review Anything. I doubted that he would be meaningful to me. I was wrong. Anyone should take the time to read this book as it is inspiring to get out of the rut of your daily life and trust God that He can do immensely more with you.
To be honest, I don’t want to think of the questions the author is asking on page 55 of her book – “What are you most afraid of? What would be the very worst thing that God may allow you to suffer?” – simply because I think I would be torn if one of my kids would have to go through a terrible sickness or even die. But I know that growth will also be present in the midst of trials. *sigh*
Through this book I have learned that God wants all of me not just bits and pieces. I need to learn to yield to His guidance without buts, ifs or whys. I need to give the control to His powerful hands. To trust Him no matter what is the outcome. Yeah I know – easier said than done. But He can provide the strength doesn’t He? He can give us the push in the back we need to advance. After all, the Scriptures itself says that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.
I particularly loved the illustration of the baby sea turtles in the book. To get to their home, ie the ocean, they go through trials and barriers. It got me thinking that in a way we are the same while going through life. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that you will have everything easy on a gold platter. No, there are trials, issues, slow time as well as blessings from above. In the 21st century, the entitlement generation is more and more visible. I see it in the news, at church, in schools, at work… everywhere. But is it really a good way of thinking?
I have a dream. I would love to have some acreage and a house with a wrap-around porch. A place where my kids can go in the woods to explore and a garden which could provide for our family during the winter season. But as I consider the words of Jennie Allen, I am wondering why can’t I just be satisfied with our home right now. So what there are neighbors close to us and that the yard is a bit small. The house has a finished basement, plenty of room for everyone and close to activities for my kids whom are homeschool. The mortgage is currently under the value of a new townhome which is amazing for a two story house with 5 full bedrooms in it. So why do I always look for something better? Why I am feeling dissatisfied.?
I want to be like Mary – the mother of my Lord Jesus. I want to trust God about any events in my life no matter what the cost is. She did it. I can do it too.
Jennie Allen gave me some things to ponder about and I am more willing to let God act in our lives as never before. Anything Lord. Anything. He might ask us to stay put where we are and be more involved in the ministry we participated in earlier this year. He might ask us something totally different – like leaving the familiarity of our environment and go somewhere else. I don’t know but one thing I know for sure if that one… I will do my best to bloom anywhere He brings me.
What about you? Are you willing to let God in control of everything in your life? If so, I would like to suggest that you grab the book Anything and read through it. I have a feeling that you will come out of this with a way of thinking different than the one you had before.
Anything is available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
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