"Everyday Faithfulness" (Glenna Marshall)

TITLE: Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World (The Gospel Coalition)
AUTHOR: Glenna Marshall
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020, (176 pages).

People often use words like faith, faithful, and faithfulness to describe their beliefs and religious purposes. When we ponder about them, what do they actually mean? How do they play out in the real world? In our fast-paced world of infused with expectations of immediate gratification, it is particular challenging to practice the spiritual life in a world of speed. Author Glenna Marshall calls it a "demanding world." Unfortunately, as far as spirituality is concerned, it is a form of speed thrills but kills. We cannot think of spirituality in terms of microwave or Internet speed. The world is used to things fast and easy. Spirituality works slowly and more challenging in many aspects. Marshall's observation is spot on: As far as spirituality is concerned, we need to think like a farmer. From seeding to weeding, watering to pruning, sowing to harvesting, spiritual growth is essentially doing our best while letting God do the rest. A farmer mentality refuses to be rushed but plods consistently, plows regularly, and believes faithfully. That means being able to stay the spiritual course regardless of what happens. Out of her own struggles, Marshall manages to take a hard look at the reality of the world challenges. As she places these challenges alongside the need for faith, she shows us the meaning of everyday faithfulness. For her, everyday faithfulness means:

• Taking the long view
• Practicing perseverance
• Realizing that Spirituality is not a switch but a lifelong journey
• Growing in maturity
• Not a one-time decision but a constant choosing the path of Christ
• Reflecting the heart of Christ in all of our decisions
• Not reverting back to our former way of life
• Following Christ whatever it takes
• ...

This is followed by eight chapters that describe how everyday faithfulness plays out. When one does not feel as disciplined as needed, just stay the course of the practices of prayer and Scripture reading. Follow the plan as best as possible. When one feels overwhelmed, take a break or rest but never give up. When answers are not forthcoming, learn contentment in Christ and learn not to succumb to decisions made out of impatience. When in doubt, go back to the assurance of faith and God's promises. When suffering, keep our focus on Jesus trusting that no pain will ever be too much for us to bear. When in sin, fight it earnestly. All through the book, there is one common theme: Perseverance in spite of obstacles. 

My Thoughts

The big idea in this book is about maintaining a farmer's mentality when it comes to faith matters. We cannot quit simply because the ground is too hard to plow or the fertilizer too pungent to bury. Life is difficult. Sin can often weigh us down to the point of dejection. Farmers know that there are things they have to do. They need to soften the ground, sow seeds, water the seedlings, and constantly ensuring the appropriate amount of sunlight and protection needed from the elements. Like the farmer tending to the needs of the plants, we need to tend to the needs of our souls. It is easy to talk about faithfulness when things are going well. When the reality of life clashes with uncomfortable facts, it is a different challenge altogether. Just like fair-weathered friends who spend time with us when the sun is up, and abandons us when the rains come down, faith cannot be a fair-weathered matter. If faith is real, it must be able to survive the elements of everyday life. Marshall has given us a book to remind us on this very fact. As one who has personally encountered and overcome different challenges, she takes us through the many different routes that could derail our faith walk, and shows us how in faithfulness we can overcome. 

As I read the book and the stories that accompany the chapters, I can sense the honest personal battles the author had been going through. One of the struggles centers around spiritual disciplines. Most of us have experienced moments of dryness and discouragement before. In those times, it is tempting to just give up. Marshall then notes the greater temptation of letting our hurried and harried lifestyles drag us further from our spiritual journey. It is one thing to lack desire for spiritual practices when times are hard. It is yet another to replace this with the things of the world. Put it another way, it is ok to pause or take a break in order to have some rest and restoration. It is yet another to use the same time of rest to go busy ourselves with worldly concerns. I think this is where many of us fall into temptation of worldly concerns. The parable of the Sower is most applicable here. If we are the soil that wants the seed to grow rapidly without foundation, we will soon wither. If we are the soil that makes the seed grow amid thorns, we might get choked. If we are the soil that are not conducive for the seeds to grow and flourish, we will not bear fruit. Everyday faithfulness is about cultivating this soil for the best spiritual result. This requires the farmer mentality. Indeed, if one can learn of this mentality in this book, it would have worth every cent.

Glenna Marshall is a pastor's wife and a mom of two boys. She battles with infertility and has chosen adoption as she deals with chronic illnesses. Through her struggles, she has learned to trust God more through the lens of Scripture. 

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.