Seated with Christ by Heather Holleman

Book Description

As Christians find themselves trapped in the rhetoric of platform, influence, retweets, and fame, they need a ladder out of the fray.

Many of us live in a prison of self-absorption. Shackled with pride and despair, we compare ourselves to others constantly in our frantic, unending pursuit of perfection.

Seated with Christ gets to the root of this behavior and charts a path to freedom.

Scripture says that God’s beloved are seated with Christ in the heavens (Eph. 2:6), treasured by Him and given a place at His table. Heather Holleman unveils what this means for us.

It means we walk out on the fight for acceptance. We quit measuring ourselves to others.We leap free from cycles of shame.

Securely-seated people can ask themselves hard questions about their lives; they can deal with sin, grieve their losses, and move forward in hope. From a position of security and self-forgetfulness they can joyfully do the good works prepared for them uniquely. They can even celebrate the successes of others.

Seated with Christ is a deeply personal, liberating look at a glorious truth: that we have a place at God's eternal table.

My Review

The moment I opened this book I knew Heather Holleman spoke my language. She looks at the small and simple verbs like “sit” and “stand” and sees they have much more importance and meaning. Using Ephesians 2:6 as her foundation, we who have accepted Christ are all seated with Christ at the table.

I have thought of the wedding feast before but not what as in depth. Or how I actually have such a privilege as to have a seat at his table. As Heather Holleman elegantly explained,

 

“According to customs of the time, people around a table would sit, squat, or recline on the floor. If the event was important or ceremonious or royal, attendants sat on seats. Even in Jewish feasts, you as a guest would recline or squat unless you were part of the kings circle. Only then did you have an actual seat.”

 

Wow! I never knew that or thought of it before!

Heather goes over some of the different tables we strive to claim a seat at:

• The Smart Person’s Table
• The Thin and Beautiful Table
• The Good wife and Mother Table
• The Published Author’s Table
• The Fruitful Christian Table
• The Wealthy Family Table

 

Many of the tables she describes in this book I have either struggled with or am still struggling with today. It is very relatable and relevant to our day and age. As a single, overweight, aspiring Christian writer, I struggle with wanting to find somewhere I belong. To feel loved, accepted.

Going over each part of this book was both an encouragement and growing experience. One you won’t want to miss.

The end of each chapter has a “Sit and Savor” questions to help you stop and think. They were really good too.

 

Now I see better how special my seat is. It is mine; no one can take it away from me. I don’t have to fight for it; it already has my name on it. I am seated with Christ at his table, forever. I can adore instead of agonizing over my appearance. I can access instead of architect my life around affluence. I can abide instead of achieve. And so can you.

 

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.