You’ve felt it, right?
The ache for more, more, more of Jesus. The desire for the abundant life he sweetly promised.
You love his grace, love his character, love his people. You know you’re set apart for good works and called to run the race well for his glory. You’re itching to get on the move and live out the gorgeous story he’s written for your life.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 (ESV)
But… how?
I know. You’d give anything to know what divine purpose he has spoken over you. You’d climb any mountain to hear how to live the Christian life best.
Oh Lord, how do I live this life for you? Will I ever get it right?
I’ve been there. And I’ve swung hard, back and forth and back again, into two Christian-living camps.
Gabrielle, the holiness gal. Up every single morning for extensive Bible study. Her journals are packed with notes on Old Testament historical context and quotes from The Moody Bible Commentary. Her prayers are long and honestly, pretty dry. She repents and repents out of fear that God will grow tired of her imperfections. She keeps flaws hidden from friends because she’s really trying her hardest, so who needs to know? She’s quick to give herself and those around her holiness grades–quick with her mental red pen.
Striving. Tired.
I’ve been Gabrielle, the grace gal. Desiring that every single eternal soul know that God has pursued them since before they were born. Encourager to all. Quick to speak forgiveness over others and uncomfortable with talking about sin. She’s in the Word much less and squirms in God’s presence, uncomfortable with his gentle correction. She’ll talk to you about Jesus, sure, but she’ll choose her words super carefully. She’s worried you might think Jesus is too harsh, and she really cares whether she’ll turn you away from Christianity altogether.
Anxious. Dissatisfied.
Enter Dance Stand Run, by Jess Connolly.
Friends, I’m on the launch team for DSR, and I know you’ve most likely seen me champion its message on social media.
Did you know that I do NOT have to promote this book? Seriously. I was welcomed into the launch team to help give feedback, vote on merchandise, and only instructed to promote it if I felt lead to spread it’s message.
And I do. I truly do.
This book, you guys. I can’t stop telling all my peeps to get a copy.
Because guess what? I’ve learned that I don’t have to choose between holiness and grace.
As a daughter of God, I am already holy. Because of the blood of Jesus, I am as holy as I will ever be. I get to agree with what God has spoken over me and pursue holiness out of love for him and what he has done.
I don’t have to prove my holiness to God; instead, I get to participate in the abundant life that holy living offers me right now. I get to read his Word. I get to spend time at the feet of the King of the World in prayer. I get to speak life to the people he loves. I get to live with purpose and joy and worship all my days on earth.
And the holiness Jesus gave me was bought at such a high price. I get to dance in the truth that he loved me enough to leave his throne and run after my heart. After reading DSR, I am newly in awe of the amount of grace it took to bring me from my sinful state to the holy ground I stand on. God is so unlike us, yet here I am sitting in his lap. What love, guys.
All this sweetness just has to be shared. I get to be in the world as a light for Jesus. I get to tell of all his goodness and know that he is the one changing hearts. I don’t have to live in fear that I’ll mess up his kingdom work. He’s changing hearts, and I just get to run beside him and all the other kingdom gals.
Jess has written an anthem for the girls who are itching for life abundant. I’m in, and I’m sure you will be, too.
I don’t want to give any more away, so I’ll just end with this: Dance Stand Run will change your life. Go buy it! Okay? Okay.
Dance Stand Run releases on the 24th, so you’ve still got 3ish days to preorder! When you preorder, you will receive some sweet gifts.
Go to dancestandrun.com to preorder, learn about preorder gifts, and read the first chapter of the book.
Gabrielle Ruth Writes 