Like a skirt that is too tight. Like a jacket that’s too small. Like a tunnel with no end in sight. It’s like that. Restless to move.
Sitting in the hot sun staring at the sky, I explained my frustration in the only visual I could muster up to describe what I was feeling. I was like a horse in the starting box at the race track. I was in the stall, bit and bridal in my mouth, stamping the ground, eager to run wild and free. I could see the track and deep in my veins I was ready to be released, but the gates were closed.
She paused. Sighed. Then laughed gently. Bianca, we all feel restless when we are pursuing what God wants us to do. When you know what you’re called to do, there’s an urgency for people like us to fight like hell—or against hell—to get it done.
That was it. It was like the gates opened and I was released to run, wild and free. Every day there is a racetrack in front of me and I know I need to run. God has called me to to preach the gospel and share Jesus with the broken world. I’m to love my neighbor as I love myself, not as a politician, a lawyer, a doctor, or a preacher, but as a Child of God. Plain and simple.
But more and more I’m meeting people who feel restless in their season of life. Whether it’s identifying their calling, maintaining the calling, or pursuing their calling, there are seasons when the gates feel shut and the doors unopened. We are restless to run, desperate to be released to do what we were created to do.
The concept of being restless is something I’ve wrestled with all my life. But I don’t want my restlessness—and dare I say our restlessness—to distract from running the race set before each of us.
My friend Jennie Allen recently wrote a book that deals with this exact topic. In Restless she explores the fact that God has called each of us to do great things in his name, and then helps us discover what that might mean for each of us individually. Jennie says, We are called to dream but we’re afraid to. But because we are called, when we don’t act on it we become restless—restless to find purpose, to make a difference in the world, to matter.
I love that Jennie doesn’t suggest people add one more thing to their to-do list, but instead invites us to stop and listen where they are. I’m so excited about her book and even more excited to be able to give away FIVE copies of her book for FREE. So as we kick off 2014, why not have a great resource that can help get the year on track?
It’s simple. All you need to do is leave your name in the comment box to be entered to win. Jennie’s team will send the book directly to the five lucky winners! Easy peesy lemon squeezy.
Today is a race. Run hard. Run fast. Run even if you’re restless. Your restlessness may very well be a divine invitation to purpose, calling, and life. Run.
wow! awesome, this is exactly what I am needing!
Rosie Blanco
As a writer and as a person who has struggled with being “restless” I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks to Bianca for this post and introducing us to this book. Thanks to Jennie for being obident to Christ and writing a book that will help His bride be all she can be 🙂
If still available (well, regardless), I would love a copy. This book sounds fantastic. I would love a hard copy to read and then pass on to friends.
Elizabeth Harrison
Wow, what a relief to know I’m not the only one.
Jennifer Adams
Want this book
Well, that describes exactly where I am at tonight. Not acting on … Waiting and waiting. So many years I thought I need to wait for my-someone to come along. Only now am I seeing I must run. I need to do what I am called.
Any other way I will die, and this restlessness is probable to help prevent the “death of me”
Lisa Rodriguez
Exactly where I’m at as many of us are, need to start acting on it and not just waiting.
Thanks!
Look forward to reading the book..I love reading a book that will help me get closer to God and not having to feel restless looking for answers just have to remember God always by my side..
Treneka Gross
Courtney Elliott
Denise Mapp-Matheson
Really inspiring article; can relate on many levels… Thank you for writing. I was wondering why my heart kept feeling restless – such confirmation. Love your posts – thank you!! xX