The following is a guest post by my lovely wife, Emily Secord.
Who am I? This question dominates much of our modern thinking, especially as women. Countless idols claim to answer this question by turning within the self. We are offered the path to true happiness through looking inside of ourselves. The problem is we always come back from this search dissatisfied and we are still left with this unquenchable thirst. So we continue to look for meaning within, and that’s exactly the problem. We cannot satisfy ourselves because we are limited, created beings. We need something bigger and greater than ourselves. Christianity stands opposed to the idea of finding ultimate joy in our self-identity or through self-actualization. The Bible reminds us we were created by God and for God. Rachel Jankovic addresses how we got so off track and how the gospel offers hope in her book You Who: Why You Matter & How to Deal With It.
Her book is full of biblical wisdom like this:
Samuel Rutherford penned this gem: ‘Your heart is not the compass Christ Saileth by.’ What a glorious thought that is! Christ is not subject to the insights or the whims of our hearts. And while we might feel that our hearts produce nothing but the most valuable insights, Rutherford might say, ‘Christ regardeth them not.’
This is the life-giving truths found in this book. We are ceaselessly told to follow our hearts, and we need to discover the true essence of ourselves, and then we will be happy! It is only through this secret knowledge that we will reach our full potential and become truly happy. Rachel Jankovic excellently navigates the historical reasoning of why our culture is the way it is. In a simple yet profound way, she explains why our culture believes so many lies.
She weaves in examples and metaphors to show how we’ve gotten to where we are and how the gospel counters these lies. Jankovic reminds us that while our culture preaches selfishness what we really need is to die to ourselves by living for the glory of God! She writes, “My need to know me gets swallowed up in the glory of the one who made me- the one who holds me in his hand. If you would know yourself, seek your God. Know your God, and you will know yourself. Live to his glory, and you will be living fully to your own potential. Live for his glory, and he will lift up your head.” This is a much-needed reminder; we are to live for God’s glory. Our best life isn’t now. Our lives are not about becoming the best me or washing my face. Life is found in losing it in and for Christ. Jankovic basically asks us, “What if my life isn’t actually about me at all but is actually about a glorious God who is worth our worship regardless of our circumstances?”
I would recommend all women read this book (available now in the church library). Rachel beautifully corrects our culture’s call for people to seek themselves in themselves and offers the Christian response. She explains things in a simple yet profound way and encourages women to about our world through a biblical worldview. New and old in the faith would all benefit from reading this book. This both will bot challenge and encourage Christian women to live for the glory of God and the joy of his people! Then and only then will find true life.
Emily J. Secord