How Did I Get Here: Finding Your Way Back to God When Everything is Pulling You Away
By Christine Caine
Human beings crave consistency, stability, and reliability. We are made to flourish when purposefully planted on solid ground and in good soil. We are designed to be rooted deep, watered daily, and producing fruit. When we have a healthy foundation, we grow, are pruned, enhance in quality, and expand, not just our reach, but also our supply.
These attributes were threatened during the Covid-19 pandemic. For some, they were carried away in the storm of 2020 and dragged into a murky mess where black muddles shades of gray. For others, the unsteady wind of a wild year gradually pushed them in a direction they never intended to go. Yet, those anchored in Christ who endured and persevered had their faith tried, tested, and strengthened.
If there is one lesson that comes from the Covid-19 pandemic, it should be the realization that God is the only constant in an ever-changing and unpredictable world. He is, was, and will forever be the Sovereign Authority of all (Revelation 1:8).
As a Type-A recovering perfectionist, I clung to the Truth and promise that God is in control despite living in a world that very much felt like it was spinning out of control. I drew close to Him and sought Him, daily, because He was the only consistent, stable and reliable thing in my life. I could have tuned out, but instead chose to tune in(to) Him because He has proven faithful to me over years of trials, tribulations, confusions, and heartaches. Time and time again.
But that wasn’t always the case. Even during my (almost 15) years of being a Christian, I have found myself being led astray by the current of the world and my own fleshly desires. Sometimes I was misguided unwittingly and other times I had drifted intentionally. In those regretful moments, complacency, contentment, weariness, frustration, and devastation drove the ship away from the shore. It wasn’t until I had looked back at where I had been, that I had realized just how far I had gone.
This is the concept behind Christine Caine’s latest book, How Did I Get Here: Finding Your Way Back to God When Everything is Pulling You Away.
Caine draws on her personal experience of finding herself drifting during a difficult season in her life. She describes how easy it is to drift away from Jesus and the foundation of your faith when you are not attentive, proactive, and intentional. Drifting, or coasting (moving without power) happens gradually and often when you are not paying close attention.
Using the imagery of the natural current of a body of water, Caine explains how an individual can be guided further and further away from where he or she originally began. The elements of wind and waves can take a person off course or make their condition unstable and/or uncertain. This is a compelling illustration that is very relatable, especially when considering today’s culture and the political climate in the United States.
“For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.”
Hebrews 2:1
In her signature style, Caine vulnerably, honestly, humbly, and humorously shares her journey of wrestling with questions that deeply challenged her faith. By refocusing her eyes back on Jesus and the steadiness of God’s purpose for her life, Caine was able to redirect herself from a what-if consideration to an even-if position of an unwavering faith.
Additionally, How Did I Get Here identifies nine signs that suggest you may be drifting:
- Are you shifting with the world’s current or are you anchored to the Rock?
- Are you trusting in God or are you trying to control your life?
- Are you working towards healing and restoration or are the wounds of your past seeping into your present?
- Are you asking questions amidst struggles in your faith or are you wandering away from your faith?
- Are you seeking prayer or are you seeking advice?
- Are you gathering in community [for support, courage, and accountability] or are you isolating yourself?
- Are you hungry for the Spirit or are you bingeing on worldly things?
- Are you living in a protective and comfortable bubble or are you living out the Great Commission to go and make disciples?
- Are you enduring, persevering, and pressing into Jesus or are you steadily coasting away?
If you are feeling empty or are longing for the spiritual fullness you once knew, then you need to read this book! It asks hard questions and encourages the reader to personally examine their faith and the condition of their heart. It is practical, applicable, and packed with wisdom, biblical insight, relatable humor, and reminders that you are never too far gone to be brought back home.
“Until Jesus comes back a second time to establish his physical kingdom on earth in full, he wants us doing what he did. He wants us drawing people’s attention to God and his goodness, and all the ways he’s gracious, merciful, compassionate and worthy to be trusts.”
pg. 155
After experiencing a year like 2020, How Did I Get Here is a book anyone can benefit from and is one that I highly recommend! To purchase your copy and to learn more about Christine Caine’s Anchored course, click here!
*I received this book from FrontGate Media in exchange for promotion and my honest review.
