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A Holy Pursuit is the debut title by Dianne Jago, the founder of Deeply Rooted Magazine. The book was written to help women in this present age learn what it looks like to submit their dreams and desires to the Lord. There are dominant messages on social media essentially telling women they can do it all when it comes to pursuing their dreams. In reality, though, we are limited when it comes to our time and abilities. The idea for the book comes from Dianne’s experiences as a former photographer and her current experience as a magazine founder and editor. She shared with readers how she was on the rise as a photographer and even won a photo contest hosted by Jasmine Star (a well known photographer, especially on Instagram). Dianne was enjoying photography but realized as she pursued it, it didn’t quite fulfill her in the way she had hoped it would. On page 60 she shared, “. . . I realized that even if I achieved all the successes my heart had hoped for, apart from an active relationship with God, I would always remain empty. If I was not content with the life He had given me now, how could I expect to be satisfied with the life I dreamed of? I had the head knowledge that there is no lasting hope in photography, and yet for a long time I didn’t apply that knowledge to my living. . . Photography itself wasn’t the problem – the hope that I placed in it, and the obsession I had created over it was.”
I really appreciated Dianne’s transparency and humility in sharing the battle that occurred in her heart because I know that many women, myself included, can relate to it. I love too, that she helped readers understand the issue itself isn’t the dream but how we go about pursuing the dream and how pursuing the dream shapes our priorities. Unlike many books aimed at Christian women that spin lies such about how we can do it all, have it all, and be all, A Holy Pursuit is refreshingly truthful. Dianne laid the foundation for truth in the beginning pages of the book. She addressed Lies the World Believes on pages 16-19 and the lies addressed include 1. Follow your heart, 2. Chase after your dreams, and 3. Go make a difference in the world. Using the Bible to address how these lies conflict with Scripture, she wrote, “. . . freedom and happiness await those who fear God and keep His commandments,” (pg. 17).
Dianne also looked at lies that Christians believe and addressed verses that individuals tend to take out of context to support their earthly goals. On page 97 she helped readers view Jeremiah 29:11 in context and wrote, “. . . the dreamer cannot attach this verse to her dreams if she values the integrity of Scripture. She cannot paste Jeremiah 29:11 on her plans to, for example, open a business, assuming God is now on the hook to make all her career dreams come true. Her business is not the ‘hope and future’ God was talking about in Jeremiah. While the eternal ‘hope and future’ for all believers is the same (heaven), God’s temporary plan for the exiled Israelite’s in Babylon here in Jeremiah 29:11 is not the same temporary plan God may have for you and I here in the twenty-first century. We can trust that God certainly has a plan for our lives both eternally and in the here and now, but we cannot assume His plan guarantees worldly success in every season.”
Throughout the pages of A Holy Pursuit, there is a clear emphasis on the authority of God and His word which I am deeply grateful for. Dianne also peppered her pages with grace and practical theology which, I feel, is desperately needed especially in books aimed at Christian women.
She used the chapter of Titus 2 to help women understand the priorities that God has for them in this life. I love how Dianne graciously addressed the idea that it is wrong for women to work outside the home. She shared a bit about how there are differing views of this nonessential issue and wisely wrote, “More than sharing my own opinions on the matter, I long for each of you to be more ‘fully convinced in his own mind’ (Rom. 14:5), and I wholeheartedly believe that as you grow in the knowledge of Jesus you will have all wisdom and discernment through the power of the Holy Spirit to navigate the question in your own church, family, and home. The bottom line is that we see a priority here in Scripture and it does not point to a high-profile successful life as the world would define, but instead, points to loving those right in front of you – in your very home and neighborhood,” (pg. 170). I love how she gently addressed what tends to become unnecessarily divisive and encouraged readers to examine Scripture for themselves and hold their own convictions.
I really enjoyed A Holy Pursuit and feel that it helped ground me and shape me when it comes to my own dreams. It is rare to find a women’s book that speaks the truth in love and helps women grow spiritually and practically, and I highly recommend it.
I received A Holy Pursuit compliments of B & H Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
