I have been reading “Nothing to Prove” by Jennie Allen and it has spoken directly to that ache of “not-enoughness” that I have felt for way too long.
I think that we all feel this way to some degree, but women are especially prone to it. Past the constant pressures that society put on us, we also get it from our family, friends and co-workers.
In the internet obsessed world we live in, our lives are so busy and jam packed that we crave time to do “nothing”. We justify looking at our phone to “relax” for 5 minutes when it sucks us in and it becomes 30 or more. We are looking for something to distract us, make us forget our busy schedule or make us feel better about ourselves and our lives. Or all of the above.
I am guilty of it. We all are. I hate to admit it, but it’s easier.
Easier to get lost in Instagram
Easier to waste 2 hours watching Youtube videos
Easier to shop online for things we don’t need
Even though you know deep down it’s not the best use of your time, it’s just easy.
Jennie explains it this way:
“We were made for wonder, but we’ve settled for entertainment. God built us to crave true, fulfilling joy. But for many of us, that God-given craving for heart satisfaction has driven us past God himself, who was meant to be the fulfillment of those desires, toward a drug that dulls the ache of dissatisfaction and disappointment but never truly fulfills us.” Pg 91
“We’ve traded the wonder and satisfaction of a deep relationship with our Creator for Netflix, social media, and a new purse.” Pg 91
“What if abundant joy, bliss, wonder, pleasure are ours, and we just kept missing them for fleeting entertainment?” Pg 93
Truly connecting with God is not as simple. Reading the Bible is not always appealing. ( like you haven’t thought that before…) And sometimes it can be down right confusing. Having a relationship with someone you can’t see, touch or hear is difficult to say the least. I am not down playing that in the slightest. But I believe in the long run it will be worth it.
I would rather put my hope in God’s plan than my own faulty ideas of what I think should happen. It’s easier to say and harder to do.
Finding what works best for me is essential to finding that connection. What works for others may not work for you. Don’t feel guilty or shame for it. God made us all different for a reason.
Put down your phone
Take a walk
Talk to a friend (in person)
Read a book
You are enough because Jesus is enough. Stop trying to fill up with everything else but Jesus.
I plan on making more posts on my thoughts of Jennie’s book and the things I am getting out of it.
These are my own thoughts and feelings. I am not receiving compensation for this post. All words are my own except for what is italicized and in quotations.