Book Review: Nothing to Prove
Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard By Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen’s new book Nothing to Prove will be released on January 31. Because I have had the privilege of reading Restless and Anything, I was so excited to receive a copy of the uncorrected proof for Nothing to Prove and to be able to serve on its launch team.
Allen, who is the founder of IF: Gathering, writes with such honesty, and it’s that authenticity, along with her love for God and people, that makes her so endearing. Readers will be able to identify with the struggles and triumphs that Allen shares in her books.
Nothing to Prove takes on the issue of striving. As human beings, we strive to do good things for God and others. However, when we try to do these things in our own strength and power, we soon realize that we are not enough.
“We strive to be seen, to be known, to matter. We’re desperate to believe we are doing a good job at whatever has been entrusted to us.
But we are not enough. We are not God. We don’t have all the answers, all the wisdom, all the strength, all the energy. We are finite sinful beings. And that is okay.
In fact, it is the confession that unleashes the freedom we are aching for.” ~Jennie Allen
According to Allen, the problem is that we believe working for God can take the place of spending time with Him, and lack of time with our heavenly Father leaves us feeling “empty” and “unhappy” because He is the ultimate source of power.
God knows we are not enough, and He is not asking us to take on that responsibility. Rather, what He wants, more than anything, is us. You and me.
As children of God, we don’t have to worry about striving and proving ourselves because He loves us, we have been forgiven, and our future in heaven is already secure. We can stop worrying about other people’s opinions, gaining influence, or achieving success because our God is in control, and we can leave it all in His hands.
Freedom comes when we remember that it’s not about us. It’s about God and what He can do through us.
“When you have nothing to protect and nothing to prove, God moves through you.
When you have nothing to protect and nothing to prove, you know freedom.” ~Jennie Allen
Allen reminds us that if we want to see God do “crazy miracles” in our lives, we need to stop worrying about what other people are doing. Instead, we need to focus on what is in front of us and chase after God with fearless abandon.
“Knees on ground.
Words formed to God in prayer.
Bibles marked up and worn out.
Hours spent with the only One who satisfies and delights our soul.” ~Jennie Allen
Nothing to Prove is a book that readers will want to revisit over and over again because it is packed full of Godly wisdom and encouragement. We all need to be reminded that although we are never going to be enough, our mighty, sovereign God is always enough, and if we abide in Him, He can do amazing things in and through our lives.
