“...Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” - Hab. 2:2

I’m taking this verse a little out of context - I realize that.  It is a specific story of God commanding that his desires be made plain.  However, I think it applies aptly to A More Beautiful Life by Whitney English.  This book was an exciting one for me to review.

I LOVE planning, organizing, and helping people discover their dreams for their future.  For those who are just discovering Tirzah, I have a love of helping people discover their God-given purpose.  I received my Master’s in Social Work, so I could help people move forward in life.  Whitney actually discusses some important things we discussed in school throughout her book.

The main point she brings up for her ideas of organization and planning is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  This is the idea that humans start at a basic level and then work their way up.  In order to succeed in life, they must first have the basic care of food and water.  Then, they need shelter.  After that, they need healthy relationships.  From there, you keep building.  Whitney takes this approach to life rather than first trying to create a vision for your life.

You cannot pursue a vision and make it plain if your basic needs aren’t being met.  Even in the Bible, you see that Jesus followed this idea.  He made sure his disciples had what they would need.  He took time to rest and made sure everybody ate.  Jesus intentionally fasted - not starved himself from lack of planning.  Whitney does such a great job of making this clear and shows how God can use a healthy/whole person.

‘When you feel connected to a greater purpose and other people, when you have a sense of gratitude and meaning, and when you have the strength to handle stress and unforeseen circumstances, you will have the energy and stamina to build a beautiful life.” - Whitney English

I highly recommend this book for so many reasons.  Number one is that today we have created a world, especially in the United States, that says you must help everyone else and work hard all the time - to the detriment of yourself.  That is not only a wrong view - it goes against the Bible.  We are supposed to serve from a place of wholeness - not a place of believing we are absolutely necessary to carry out every plan of God.

In a previous time of my life, I was working a career job and went to a church that was very focused on your involvement in their buildings.  It felt like I had to do everything in those places and was told to sacrifice even my health at my job.  When I quit these things, I learned a new place of life.  A place where my job and community come AFTER my health, my family, and those God placed in my life.  You can feel free to take on any job or any project when you know what you need to live & rest fully in God.  Whitney’s book is a great tool to help with this.

***A brief caveat is there is a section where Whitney mentions utilizing yoga/meditation in addition to prayer.  At Tirzah, we want to make it clear that you are filling your mind with something if you are meditating.  The Bible says to “meditate on the word day and night”.  Meditate on the Bible, but we cannot endorse yoga & meditation unless grounded in Scripture/prayer/Christ.***