About the Book

Book: You are Loved & Free

Author: Micah Ruth

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Purpose

Release Date: July 29, 2020

How do you gain your sense of worth and significance? Career? Kids? Marriage? Finances? Living in a culture where your achievements define you makes you prey to attacks on your very identity. But God values you regardless of your wins and losses and provides the tools in His Word to help you win the battle and rebuild your identity on His truth as you walk with Him into your purpose.

Born achiever Micah Ruth found herself questioning her value during a career demotion and personal crisis. Feeling like a failure and questioning her every move, Micah began listening to God as He led her to make major life changes and reassess the source of her worth. Through exploring the book of Ephesians, Micah uncovered the lies that held her captive and broke the self-inflicted chains of shame to ultimately experience deep soul transformation.

Micah weaves her story as inspiration for you to embark on your own journey of freedom and discovery. Devotionals, journal questions, and practical application prompts provide opportunities for you to remove your armor of self-reliance, grow in your faith, and reflect on your story. You Are Loved & Free also includes resources to help you discover your gifts and purpose while you cling to your newfound identity as a beloved and free child of God.

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MY REVIEW

I was a bit anxious to read this book because I knew there would be tough and hard truths that God wanted me to see. The first thing that grabbed my attention was this, “But I am spiritually hard of hearing sometimes.” Yes that is me. I have selective hearing at times where God is concerned. I question over and over why He allows things to happen. If I would just put down my pride and realize He is doing something in me and not to me, I would be at peace.

I really liked the different illustrations from the Bible the author uses to help us understand who we are in Christ. The world wants us to believe our worth is in our job, our status or other things that can cause us to think we are unworthy or not good enough. I can say with transparency now how I struggled with my identity while I was in ministry. I was a Children’s Pastor for many years. I felt that I was pleasing God and the pastors. I wanted their approval and befire I knew it I was becoming a shell of myself. God was in control and I found being asked to step down so I could refresh myself. I needed to be fed the Word and know that God loves me. My heart and pride was hurt and I was ashamed. God needed to remove me from ministry so He could heal me from my past.

As a child I remember pain, hurtful words and no love in the house. My image of myself was poor as I believed my parents when they said I would never amount to anything. Oh I wanted them to be proud of me and love me. I never got that, but I did get the greatest love of all. At a church service one morning, I felt this urge to run to the altar and ask God to forgive me. A woman was there with open arms waiting for me. I sobbed in her arms for the little girl who never felt loved. I cried for the teen who was a shadow of herself and I prayed that God would love me even though I was nothing. That moment something changed inside me. I felt God wrap His arms around me. The people in the church gathered around me and prayed. I had come home to God. I was free from shame and feeling worthless. I was finally free.

“He knows we are frail and broken, but He still wants to work with us in our mess .” We have to remove our pride and be willing to let God work within us. Let all those people who have judged you not define you anyone. Don’t allow the enemy to whisper lies that you aren’t good enough.

I have enjoyed this book and the truths that have helped me to see clearer who I am in Christ. I am His child who He loves unconditionally. He wants to have a relationship with us and He has a plan for each of us. I was devastated leaving Children’s Church, but God was preparing me for something else. I needed to get my heart right before I could move forward. The path he has taken me on has been a challenge but I know where I am at right now is where God wants me to share my testimony. I am praying for doors to open so I can share my story to those who need to hear it. This book has encouraged me to follow the desire of my heart and allow God to direct me to the audience that needs to hear how in my darkest moments, God was there telling me I was loved.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

After focusing solely on her career in the corporate world for eighteen years, Micah Ruth discovered and leaned in to her calling from Christ to share her journey and inspire others through her writing. Through her blog, Created Significant: Living Loved & Free, and first published book, she is committed to helping others see themselves as Christ sees them. Micah is a wife and mother to three kids, a lifelong Colorado resident, avid mountain biker, and a lover of the outdoors, where she does most of her writing.

More from Micah

Just after a devastating demotion, Micah Ruth sees the revelation God wants to speak to her in this season. You are not what you do, you are not what they think of you, or have said of you. You are a loved and free child of God. With this new revelation, Micah goes on a journey to break down what she had allowed to identify her and rebuilds her identity in Christ.

You are Loved and Free is a devotional journey through the Bible, focusing on the book of Ephesians which holds the Truth about who we are in Christ. Through testimonials and heartfelt stories, Micah shares her journey, inviting others to go on the journey for themselves. She also shares the Biblical wisdom and practical application to rebuild your identity in Christ God revealed to her. Both by uncovering the lies about who you are and revealing the Truth in God’s word, you can find and start walking in your identity as a loved and free child of God.