Why You Need to Read She Works His Way
My problem with reading books is that I get distracted – by other books. My to-be-read tower grows higher and higher as I buy more books, and I often start a new one before I’ve finished one I’m currently reading. The struggle is real. I probably need a support group.
So, when my friend Michelle Myers announced the pre-ordering phase of her book, She Works His Way (co-authored by Somer Phoebus), I clicked on the Amazon link and ordered it. And while the resulting dopamine rush was great, I was blessed far more by reading it.
From the title, you’d think this book is specifically for women who work, but it’s truly for all women who breathe. Whether you’re married or single, work in the home or outside of it, raise kids or avoid kids, minister in your church or your community – if you love Jesus and desire to honor him with your time, talents, and treasures, this book will challenge and encourage you.
The book’s premise contrasts what secular culture tells us as women, and what God’s Word calls us to. Each chapter goes deeper than surface-level actions and gets to the heart of our attitudes and motivations. The book was so convicting at times, but so affirming and encouraging at others.
I read this She Works His Way while starting a new season in my life, and it was a great reminder to focus on God’s measure of success – faithful obedience (not numbers or platform) – and that my “contentment comes from the one who created us – not from the work we create.” Each chapter was a journey in evaluating how I measure myself, serve others, rely on God, and obey his call on my life.
It’s packed with great stories of people God called and used in Scripture, and their examples compel us to deepen our trust and reliance on God. One that really stood out to me was Jeremiah, who prophesied to Israel for forty years and never saw a single person repent. Forty years without a “yes!” As the authors point out, “If results can make you quit, you’re not working from a place of conviction and calling.”
She Works His Way is packed with personal challenges, such as:
-Rely on God and not your gifting.
-Open your Bible before you open your mouth.
-The gospel is your job – your career is your side hustle.
-Support more often than you star.
-Patience is found in God’s presence, not in your circumstances.
-Real leadership doesn’t happen on stages but serving in the unseen spaces.
And I loved the prayers at the end of each chapter. Similar passages in other books typically seem manufactured and generic, so I tend to breeze past them in search of stronger content. But the prayers closing each chapter in this book are the stronger content, such as this excerpt from Chapter 8: “Lord, help me overlook most offenses, so I have the maximum time to pursue what matters. Help me see others for who You made them to be, not simply how they’re behaving in the moment.” Ouch. Or from Chapter 10: “Make us far more familiar with washing feet than standing on stages, more content with obscurity than fame, more satisfied in you than with recognition.”
For me, She Works His Way was a journey of denying myself and taking up the cross God has for me, which is all about him receiving glory. Truths I always need to be reminded of, as it’s so easy for me to fall into comparison traps and self-serving motives. My favorite quote from the book: “If God calls you to be a rung on the ladder that your competition climbs, then be sturdy and help her up.” What a picture of the gospel! God made himself nothing so we could become royalty. God became sin for us so we could become his righteousness. That is a life I want to live, and this book will be a great support along my journey.
Check out my interview with Michelle on the UnPerfect Podcast where she unpacked Ecclesiastes and challenged us with wisdom from the man who “had it all.”
