“Imagine yourself with Jesus, in a boat on the sea, as a sudden storm fills the other passengers with fear.”

I’ll admit to going into this book already know I’d like it. I’ve followed the author on IG for several years, and I always resonate with her conclusions.

Her refusal to separate spiritual formation and social justice keeps me coming back for more advice, more wisdom, more writings.

Her boat allusion, (we’re not the waves, we’re not the disciples, we’re CERTAINLY NOT Jesus) that has us as Christ Bearers is stunning in its simplicity and truth.

This short book is a great entry point for Graves’ work. I look forward to filling in all the gaps in my knowledge.

9.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this ARC.

What a unique take on a familiar passage! I so hoped for more, as the premise is truly intriguing. Although the book is very short in length (96 pages total, 82 when you take out the acknowledgements, about the author page, and notes), it doesn't seem to stick with its own message, often venturing into topics that may be interesting but don't seem to tie in with "Bearing God."

I'm not especially objective about Marlena's writing. She is so settled into her self and spirituality that even deeply profound and challenging insights land gently and graciously. A nonanxious presence undergirds this book. The folks I've talked to about this book are a bit preoccupied with her springing off point, which comes from a kind of lectio divina exercise in which Marlena identifies herself not with disciples of Jesus trying to keep the ship afloat in a storm, or Jesus asleep in the back, but with the boat itself. But that's really just the kickoff. The notion that we are bearing God is lovely and quickly established; the momentum in the book is the grappling with the idea of pushing out into the deep waters because that's where we belong, not safely bobbing at the dock. As metaphorical as the book is, it also is well anchored to the true human experience. I dig this book a lot.