April Book of the Month

With: Reimagining the way you relate to God By Skye Jethani

Have you ever thought about how you relate to God? Have you ever wondered about why other people approach God differently than you do?  In Skye Jethani’s book, With: Reimagining the way you relate to God, he uncovers four common ways that Christians approach their relationship with God. 

Some of us, he shares, live an “Under God” life. We approach God with fear and are constantly trying to please a capricious God. With this approach, we believe that obedience secures our blessing and helps us to avoid suffering.  Others of us see ourselves as “Above God.” In our minds, God is distant, so we approach our lives as if God is uninterested and has left us to figure it all out on our own. Some of us live with a “From-God” approach.  We treat God as though He’s a genie, appreciating Him for what He can do for us, but we struggle to appreciate Him for who He is. And still others of us have a “For-God” approach. We work so hard for God, almost as a way to receive significance.  In his book, Jethani helps us understand that each of these ways that we relate to God falls short.  What if God is our treasure, and He just wants for us to experience Him?

With is made up of 9 chapters. Beginning in Eden, Jethani sets up the book by describing God’s original intent for humans to experience life with Him as His representatives. As a result of the fall, he contends, humans have sought to control God.  He then discusses in the next four chapters, how we often relate to God as a result of our seeking control.

These approaches are:
Under God, Above God, From God, For God.  In each chapter, Jethani explains the shortcomings that come along with each one of those approaches.  

For the second half of the book, Jethani helps us to reimagine the way that God desires us to relate to Him.

After reading this book, I found myself more deeply desiring to live a “with-God” life. More and more, I am convinced that God is near and just wants us to do life with Him, participating with Him in His work. He wants us to know Him, and to receive His love, and to love Him for who He is. As hard as it is to digest, I also believe that God wants to delight in me – He wants to delight in all of us.  Reading this book helps me to rest in His deep desire to just be with His children.

In addition to helping me personally, this book has helped me as I interact with other believers. Often, how others react to disappointment and what they say when their longings aren’t met, reflect the way that they relate to God.  This book can help each of us notice where we (and others) might be misunderstanding who God is and what He really wants, and help us to respond in curious and honest way.

Redeemer, my hope as you read this book and reflect on how you tend to relate to God, that you might be encouraged and even empowered to practice surrendering control and resting in the One who loves you more than you can imagine.  

Our life as Easter people is one that we don’t do alone! Thanks be to God!

God bless you (and I cannot wait to discuss!)
Pastor Adrienne