With.

Book Review.

Skye,  Jethani.  With.  Reimagining the way you relate to God.  Thomas Nelson. 2011.

J.S.- managing editor of Leadership Journal, a publication of Christianity Today International.  He lives in Wheaton, Illinois.

Comment.  Henry.

Using the prepositions –under, over, from, and for- Jethani identifies four common lifestyles that describe our life with God.  By themselves they result in various levels of frustration and stress.  He goes on to present a fifth and all-encompassing option, i.e. a life with God.  His thesis is very relevant and he does a commendable job of unpacking that concept. 

Jethani gives a brief overview of each lifestyle that is reflected by the prepositions.  Life from God reflects a readiness to accept God’s blessings and gifts but is not really interested in God Himself.  Life over God focuses on the proven formulas and controllable outcomes in our life.  Life for God has to do with “accomplishing great things in God’s service”. (7)  Life under God is all about dos and don’ts and maintaining a lifestyle of good works. 

Life with God is demonstrated in Eden before the fall and the New Jerusalem when we will rule with Christ.  Subdue and reign are words that characterize this life.  Primitive religions illustrate life under God.  In its very extreme form this life is reflected in acts of terrorism.  Jesus was adamant in condemning this life under God. 

(Christian) consumerism is evidence of the negative aspect of life from God.  Ironically this kind of life ends in bankruptcy. 

When the only focus is life for God where service and mission are crucial the fear of failure is devastating. 

All the options we have considered thus far have this in common.  They result in “variations of fear and control.”(99)  They are “humanly devised ways of relating to God.” (99) 

The life with God involves communication and communion which is the environment for faith.  With surrender there is safety without fear and control.  Even death is no longer a threat having lost its sting.  It is a life with hope and love.  Gifts, knowledge, faith and service are incomplete if they are not anchored in love.  All together they become life with God. 

When we realize that we are more than a “sinner, a manager, a consumer, and a servant” (170) we discover the core of our identity enveloped by God’s love, we discover life with God.

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