Are You an Everyday Christian or an Everything Christian?-- A Book Review

 When I first saw Mary DeMuth's book, I was immediately intrigued by the title--  

Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus. 

  
My initial thoughts were: 

• "What is "everything"? 
• How do I give "everything"? 
• What does that look like in my life?

DeMuth demystifies her title and answers all three of my questions in the Preface, where she explains the difference between regular Christians, who have known and followed Christ in their own way all their lives, and "Everything Christians," who may have only given their lives to Christ for a short time but have "learned the secret of giving Him every part of their lives" (emphasis mine, xiv). 

Drawing on her own personal experiences of loss and crises, Demuth explores why some people mature quickly in their faith while others will spend an entire lifetime maturing and still never truly grow. The solution is Everything. 

Those who give up everything--surrendering complete control of their lives to Christ--gain everything. Those who hold tightly to comfort and ease, trusting in themselves instead of God, lose everything because they never experience the life-changing growth that comes from complete obedience in God.

"When we give up everything, we gain Jesus, who is our everything" (xvi).

Everything is structured into 3 parts: 

1. "Head--What We Think"
2. "Heart--Who We Are"
3. "Hands--How We Live"

Each part looks at ways to transform our lives from "the everyday" to "everything" so that we are changed, surrendering every aspect of our being to Him.

Reading Everything has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and truly experience the awe of God (chapter 1). It's only when I step out in faith--setting aside worry (chapter 5), practicing resilience (chapter 6) and optimism (chapter 7), and surrendering control (chapter 8)--that I will truly grow.

And the beauty of this book, aside from the practical applications for my own life, is feeling like you have a friend right there with you. I don't know Mary DeMuth, but I do. Her book reveals so much of her self that I feel like I'm experiencing it with a close friend. Warm, inviting, deeply personal, she's like an old friend I've known for years. Unlike most books I have read on spiritual growth, Everything resonates with this feeling of cameraderie so I don't feel like I'm doing it alone. 

If you're looking for a book to take you beyond being an everyday Christian and becoming an Everything Christian, I would highly recommend Mary DeMuth's Everything. It's one that I will pull out and read over and over again.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”