Enjoying Jesus Book Review - How to Know If You are Truly Enjoying Jesus

Title: Enjoying Jesus

Author: Tim Chester

Publisher: The Good Book Company

Release Date: September 1, 2024

Genre: Christian Living

I had been struggling in my walk with Christ and questioning where God was in my life outside of Bible study and church. Why couldn’t I see Him? Why did it seem like He wasn’t making Himself known to me?

When I was walking to class, I could see His creation, I could see the people He made in His image, but where was He? When I was in class or at my apartment, resting, hanging out with my roommates, or completing assignments, He felt so far away.

I could pray, I could thank Him for things, but how could I see Him otherwise? I know He’s always with us, as that’s what the Bible says, but I had a hard time seeing it.

Have you ever had a similar experience?

Perhaps you’re told God’s always there, but you can’t actually see Him? 

I found a book called Enjoying Jesus by Tim Chester when I needed help answering these questions for myself.

The book goes through different characteristics of Jesus that He portrayed while on earth, and this exploration helps us see where Jesus is in our day-to-day life and how we can enjoy our relationship with Him.

A Practical Guide to Enjoying Jesus

Throughout this book, Chester focuses on one major aspect: enjoyment. He pulls from the gospel of Luke to highlight events that occurred in Jesus’ life. Some of the chapters include discovering His delight or His personal touch in our lives, and Chester uses specific miracles Jesus performed, His actions, and His words as examples.

Each chapter starts with a glimpse into Chester’s personal life before diving into a brief overview of the topic with Scripture references highlighting Jesus’ life. Following this, there is further exploration on the relevance of what Jesus did during His time to how they relate to modern day struggles. The section ends with a call to action, reflection questions, and encouragement on how a different thought process can change your day.  

Chester also knows, historically, times were different when the Bible was written, so he makes sure to talk about how Jesus’ way of life and portrayal is still applicable for us.

When Jesus was going to others, He was reaching out to specific people. Other times, people were searching for Him.

For example, Jesus traveled across a body of water into Gentile territory to help a man that was possessed by a legion of demons (Luke 8:26-39). Jesus intentionally sought him out. Then, there was the woman who was bleeding for 12 years who only wanted to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment to be healed (Luke 8:43-48). Between these two scenarios, this portrays  His everyday life when He was traveling and doing God’s work. 

In the same way, you and I can live like Jesus by focusing on God and turning to Him. One way to practice this is by reading the reflection questions in the book, which give you something to think about and look back on in your life.

The action helps to take one part of life, and turns it to focus on Jesus as a challenge for the week. Chester makes sure to “check-in” with the readers as one of the questions from the reflection asks how completing the challenge from the previous chapter impacted you.

I loved this book, but some advice I have for you is to take a week break between each chapter. I treated the book as something to quickly finish, which led to skipping or skimming through the action and reflection questions. I didn’t focus on applying what I learned from reading.

There are so many ways to grow and enjoy Jesus if you take the time to truly reflect and seek the Holy Spirit’s help. Don’t be afraid to dive in!

Ways to Enjoy Jesus in Each Area of Your Life

Among the fourteen chapters in the book, there were three impactful ones that changed my view of how I live my life. 

Jesus is Your Shelter

Chapter 3 talked about enjoying the shelter of Jesus, which is something God has been growing me in over the years. I’m someone who always tried to do everything myself by taking the burdens of others on my shoulders, so the people around me wouldn’t need to suffer. In doing this, I relied on my own strength, because I was worried about burdening others.

It was encouraging to have the reminder that God is our shelter, and His presence gives us certainty that we can make it through the storms life throws our way.

I was reminded of the beautiful verses in Psalm 91:1-4 that says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” [NIV].

While the whole Psalm talks about finding refuge in Him, there is such hope and comfort that you can take from these verses. 

Jesus’ Voice Guides You

Chapter 8 is about enjoying the voice of Jesus, something I’ve been learning to listen for in my life. I always wondered how I was supposed to hear God’s voice if He was talking to me. But I was thinking of how we talk to another person we can visibly see, not how the invisible God reaches out to us.

As I was praying to God and seeking guidance on a major life decision, I was reminded how God talks to us through His Word and through the pastors in our churches. It was only a couple days later God gave me an answer. 

Jesus Brings You Eternal Wealth

In chapter 13, I was challenged about my way of thinking about wealth. We’re supposed to enjoy the wealth of Jesus, but what does this look like?

Growing up, my family wasn’t wealthy, but we got by. As I grew up, I realized how much we struggled financially and the burdens that put on my parents. Even now, I don’t consider myself rich. However, this chapter showed me what it means to be “wealthy.”

I always knew we are heirs with Christ, but I never realized what that entailed for us on earth and the eternal life we have with God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and His ownership of the entire world, we have wealth that awaits us in heaven that far outweighs anything here on this earth that will fade away with time.

Indeed, as believers in Jesus, we are the most wealthy people in the world!

Enjoying Jesus through Practical Every Day Guidance

To help apply the focus from the chapter, Chester has an example that focuses specifically on what Mike and Emma’s (made up people) Tuesday afternoon would look like. As each chapter progresses, Chester takes the topic and applies it to Mike and Emma during that day to help them see Jesus during their hardships.

You Can Enjoy Jesus

Have you forgotten about Jesus in your everyday life, friend?

Do you feel your enjoyment of Jesus draining or hard to find?

Does it make life more or less complicated?

Does your day-to-day life focus on accomplishing things in your own strength or looking to and remembering Jesus?

I used to struggle greatly with relying on myself, but this book has helped me see Him in every way! 

Where do you want to grow in your relationship with and enjoy Jesus?

Chester puts our relationship with Jesus like this, “when we resist Christ or ignore him, our sense of being connected to him weakens. When we respond to him in faith and love, then our sense of connection deepens. We are saved by Jesus into a two-way relationship with Jesus.”

There is always room to grow, and growing is a beautiful process. If you are ready to grow closer to Him and enjoy Jesus in your everyday life, this is the book for you!

Guest Blog written by Mary-Kate Holubowicz 

Mary-Kate Holubowicz is a college student who is striving to grow closer to Jesus. She loves to sit down with a good book while listening to music. While she spoils her family’s dog when she’s home, there’s nothing like having deep conversations with others and helping them live out their faith in Jesus.