#weread2016: Wild and Free Book Review
Wild and Free: A Hope - Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She is Both Too Much and Never Enough is a book that is for every woman. When I first heard of the book in September at the Influence Conference, I remember being moved simply by the subtitle. This book is for the woman who:
feels trapped under the weight of striving
has questioned her worth
has no idea whether or not God truly wants to use her
wants to break free from the comparison trap
longs to know God intimately and honor Him with her life
Y'all. This book is powerful. It is powerful because it is rooted in the truth of God's word. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it. Each chapter speaks truth in the most beautiful of ways. Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan, best friends and mama-preneurs, are women who not only invite you into their own lives, but ask that you allow the Lord to speak to you right where you are. The authors take turns writing chapters, and their personalities shine through each one as they enable you to move forward in the identity that God has personally given you.
Wild is a word that has been given a bad rap as of late; it usually has negative connotations that invoke actions that should be punished and discouraged. But in this book, Jess unpacks the word to give us hope and to help us understand that God, our Creator, is wild. Not only is He wild in His love for us, but He is wild in His plans for us- they are good and more than we could imagine. Jess writes:
"Our circumstances and our surroundings do not dictate how wild God can be. The wild and free nature of God does not bat an eyelash at the state we're in, because He is not bound by the conventional, the typical, or any rules. Our lives can look shattered and bland, broken and poor- and He can bring life and salvation and color, no matter what. Jesus did not die on the cross only for the people with the pretty houses, and the sweet wind of the Holy Spirit does not flow only through tidy lives."
Free is also a word that has been misconstrued in our culture. Sometimes people will say or do what they want in the name of freedom, but it hurts themselves and others. I confess I've been a part of this wrong thinking. But God gives us freedom when He sets us free by the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. Hayley writes: "While we wait for freedom, we must remember that Jesus is the prize. Jesus is always the prize. Whatever we learn here on earth, however we grow or do good, it is all good to be more like Christ. When we wait, we have the particular gift of allowing the Holy Spirit to build in us the fruit of His Spirit. When you abide and wait, you are uniquely pliable because you are living in trust and fixing your eyes on what is unseen."
If you are a woman, get this book. And get it for every woman you know. It's that good, y'all. And if you are an Athens friend, let me know if you'd like to do a book group this summer! :)