Joanna Weaver writes in a way that is approachable but not at the expense of what she is trying to say. She does an excellent job of explaining the scriptures without dumbing down the theology. I also enjoyed the way she detailed some of the Biblical characters' lives (however fictitious it may be.)
The cornerstone of the book is the story that takes place in the home of Martha as Jesus and his followers came to dine with them. The story is found in Luke 10:38-42. Martha is busily running around making preparations while her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet. Martha gets upset and demands that Jesus tell Mary to come help her. Jesus responds, "Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)
Womens' lives are characterized by busyness these days, to the point where we often miss out on fellowship with the Lord. We can even busy ourselves with seemingly good things, but never find true peace. Weaver writes, "Martha opened her home to Jesus, but that doesn't automatically mean she opened her heart. In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus."
Weaver goes far past the issue of being too busy for God. She delves into other problems that interfere with our faithful following of the Lord including: worry, our need for justice, discouragement, feeling inadequate, and doubting God's goodness. Satan uses all these things and more to draw us away from our Lord. By diving into God's word and making it a priority to spend time with him in prayer are we able to combat these attacks.
I truly enjoyed Weaver's book, and her transparency regarding her own life and her own struggles made it very relatable. Finding the balance between service for the Lord and fellowship with the Lord can be difficult. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone! But by God's grace He will lead me and show me "what is better." I hope you find encouragement in Weaver's book as well.
A few quotes from the book...
"He knows that if we're overly worried and bogged down by duties, chances are good our hearts will not hear the Savior's call to come." (p. 18)
"What is it about us women that creates such a desperate need in us to always "know," to always "understand?" We want an itinerary for our life, and when God doesn't immediately produce one, we set out to write our own. 'I need to know,' we tell ourselves. 'No,' God softly answers, 'you need to trust.'" (p. 26)
"All over the world people go to unimaginable lengths to find God --which is sad when you consider the unimaginable lengths God has already gone to find us." (p. 65)
"God always has a plan. But it may not follow human logic. In fact, it may often seem to go directly against what we believe about God." (p. 121)
"Today we suffer. Today we don't understand. But someday, in that eternal tomorrow, that same Savior who weeps with us will wipe every tear from our eyes. he'll unbind our graveclothes of earthly flesh, and we'll be set free. Someday all the scattered, broken pieces will fall into place, and we will suddenly understand the hand of God has been upon us all the time. All the tragedy --all the darkness-- will instantly be swallowed up in triumph." (p. 136)
"Unfortunately, it's often easier to talk about obedience than to do anything about it. We'll dissect and analyze God's truth, debate it and philosophize about it --anything but actually let it affect our lives." (p. 148)
Womens' lives are characterized by busyness these days, to the point where we often miss out on fellowship with the Lord. We can even busy ourselves with seemingly good things, but never find true peace. Weaver writes, "Martha opened her home to Jesus, but that doesn't automatically mean she opened her heart. In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus."
Weaver goes far past the issue of being too busy for God. She delves into other problems that interfere with our faithful following of the Lord including: worry, our need for justice, discouragement, feeling inadequate, and doubting God's goodness. Satan uses all these things and more to draw us away from our Lord. By diving into God's word and making it a priority to spend time with him in prayer are we able to combat these attacks.
I truly enjoyed Weaver's book, and her transparency regarding her own life and her own struggles made it very relatable. Finding the balance between service for the Lord and fellowship with the Lord can be difficult. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone! But by God's grace He will lead me and show me "what is better." I hope you find encouragement in Weaver's book as well.
A few quotes from the book...
"He knows that if we're overly worried and bogged down by duties, chances are good our hearts will not hear the Savior's call to come." (p. 18)
"What is it about us women that creates such a desperate need in us to always "know," to always "understand?" We want an itinerary for our life, and when God doesn't immediately produce one, we set out to write our own. 'I need to know,' we tell ourselves. 'No,' God softly answers, 'you need to trust.'" (p. 26)
"All over the world people go to unimaginable lengths to find God --which is sad when you consider the unimaginable lengths God has already gone to find us." (p. 65)
"God always has a plan. But it may not follow human logic. In fact, it may often seem to go directly against what we believe about God." (p. 121)
"Today we suffer. Today we don't understand. But someday, in that eternal tomorrow, that same Savior who weeps with us will wipe every tear from our eyes. he'll unbind our graveclothes of earthly flesh, and we'll be set free. Someday all the scattered, broken pieces will fall into place, and we will suddenly understand the hand of God has been upon us all the time. All the tragedy --all the darkness-- will instantly be swallowed up in triumph." (p. 136)
"Unfortunately, it's often easier to talk about obedience than to do anything about it. We'll dissect and analyze God's truth, debate it and philosophize about it --anything but actually let it affect our lives." (p. 148)
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