âYou are forgiven.â Those words I heard as I was crying, lying prone on my bedroom floor. If you've ever met a prominent man or woman of God and wondered how they got their start, this is probably it, with a snotty nose and crying alone.
Getting to know God can seem daunting when you don't know where to start. And it is easy to get caught up in an outward religious expression of faith while neglecting the very thing that makes Christianity different: Relationship. In this narrative nonfiction, the author walks you through every pitfall she encountered, so you don't have to.
This is a book that is relevant for the children of today. As a young millennial, Aliyah witnessed the rise and fall of Vine along with the start of Instagram. She has navigated a complex relationship with social media and triumphed. In this book, she draws on her personal experience to make connections about God.
If you are struggling with: Hearing God's Voice, Discerning God's Character, Trusting God or Understanding His Love, and much more. This book is for you.
âYou are forgiven.â Those words I heard as I was crying, lying prone on my bedroom floor. If you've ever met a prominent man or woman of God and wondered how they got their start, this is probably it, with a snotty nose and crying alone.
Getting to know God can seem daunting when you don't know where to start. And it is easy to get caught up in an outward religious expression of faith while neglecting the very thing that makes Christianity different: Relationship. In this narrative nonfiction, the author walks you through every pitfall she encountered, so you don't have to.
This is a book that is relevant for the children of today. As a young millennial, Aliyah witnessed the rise and fall of Vine along with the start of Instagram. She has navigated a complex relationship with social media and triumphed. In this book, she draws on her personal experience to make connections about God.
If you are struggling with: Hearing God's Voice, Discerning God's Character, Trusting God or Understanding His Love, and much more. This book is for you.
âYou are forgiven.â
Those are the words I heard as I was crying, lying prostrate on my bedroom floor. I was listening to a sermon by Sarah Jakes Roberts just twenty minutes prior. During those days, it seemed like I was always crying. Alone, in my room, car, and anywhere else I was alone. My thoughts were dominated by why my life wasnât going my way. I had been watching sermons and praying for months, but I felt Jesus wasnât working.
What happened next was surreal.
Shortly after graduating college, I was forced to face my previously thinly veiled anxiety, inadequacies, and depression, coupled with the understanding that I now had to carry the weight of my own life. No more pre scheduled classes, rubrics, free mental health events, or university-planned festivals. Now, whatever decision I made had to be made with the utmost care, or it would result in me leading an unsuccessful life.
So, naturally, I decided to get serious about my faith. If anyone could help me make it up the ladder of success, it was God, right? I mean, if so many people in my community were saying that, there must be some truth to it. So I started going back to Church, reading my Bible, and listening to teachings online. But there were glaring inconsistencies. Some people claimed they could hear God; others said he doesnât speak anymore, or, at least, not like he used to. As a baby believer, I began to get confused by the mixed signals. Nevertheless, I continued to work through my Jesus Calling devotional and grappled with conflicting information. I made sure to ask God for forgiveness and repent every day, hoping my daily repentance was working. But I got no answer. I continued to study and read scripture. No answer. I did everything I thought I was supposed to, and still, no response from God.
Adding to my confusion, I came across people who claimed to be Christian participating in what my mother would call âthe mystic artsâ. They were consulting mediums and psychics for answers and guidance. In my frustration, I grew curious: If someone could tell me the right move and when to make it, Iâd gladly hand over my money. So, I started pulling tarot cards and seeing psychics. In my head, I thought that if God didnât answer me through scripture, I could draw cards and get an answer. Plenty of Christians were doing it, so it must not be wrong.
Unfortunately, it wasnât as earth-shattering as I had hoped.
If anything, consulting psychics and tarot cards only left me more confused and angry than before. Following confusion came depression and anxiety, ready to take a bat at me. It seemed as if things just werenât going my way.
One afternoon, while working remotely, I decided to watch another sermon. It was part of a series called Wild Women. Within thirty minutes of the teaching, I felt a burning pull in my chest, like there was a string attached to my heart. I had this weird compulsion to place my head on the floor. At first, I just sat there thinking I was going insane and needed to relax. But that sensation occurred again; this time, it was even more robust. So, I got on the floor and did exactly what I felt. It was then I heard the words âyou are forgiven.â I was a wreck, crying and lying on the floor.
As it turned out, those three words were precisely what I needed to hear.
Later, I would learn that lying prostrate on the floor demonstrates humility or being âpoor in spirit.â In doing so, I was communicating an understanding of my inadequacies and inability to accomplish my life's purpose alone. I was also proclaiming that I was in a series of crises and needed the leadership of the Lord.
Becoming Unmovable by Aliyah Hastings is a book about the authorâs spiritual journey. Through the book, the author narrates an account of her life from darkness to light, from being lost to being found and healed.
I think that many people can relate to Aliyahâs struggles starting from her growing up years up to the time of her graduation and employment. It is a very honest documentation of the path she took toward finding greater faith in God.
What I truly like about the book is the authorâs conviction and sense of purpose. She desires other people to discover the same faith that helped her live a better and more meaningful life. One can sense the sincerity in her work and can easily visualize the authorâs spirituality.
At a time in this world where secularism is prevalent and many people are lost, this book would be a ray of light to inspire those who are seeking direction in life. It tells people how it is possible to believe in a God whom we cannot see. How do you hear God speak? Does He ever talk to people today like He did in the past?
The author lays down an outline of the most important things she learned while seeking the truth. It includes main topics with related Bible verses as well as her personal experience.
Aliyah also warns against the dangers of taking shortcuts when it comes to discovering the spiritual world. She describes the initial excitement one can derive from the occult as well as the consequences of seeking paths that are not in accordance with Godâs will.
I may not personally agree with all of the authorâs beliefs or interpretation of Bible verses, but I am also a Christian who shares her deep faith in Jesus Christ.
For readers who are feeling empty, lonely and lost, this book can provide hope. It is an authentic account of one personâs journey in seeking the truth that can only be found in God.