I enjoyed this reminder to let go of the hustle and bustle of life and learn to live from rest. Nockels has a gentle, guiding voice that leads to your understanding life is more than what the world tells us that it is. She invites us into her journey of learning to set aside the things where she found her value - mainly ministry - and to rest in the knowledge that worth and value come only from God.

I’ve loved her podcasts for years. Enjoyed how she wrote in the same style and the she told of her struggles. The questions at the end of chapters helps us invite God into ours as well

"We begin to carry a quiet confidence as the Beloved when we learn to be made in this secret place, when we realize that all our accolades and approval, our very rewards in this life, are found in who God is. The wonder and mystery that we've been restored to this God who loves us - become our greatest joy. We find that all our longings are met with the glorious treasure of Jesus."

Starting my review focusing on the end of the book could be a potential spoiler, but I promise that it isn't. In my opinion, a well-written book of non-fiction always has notes at the end containing extra sources. Christy Nockels did this, but there is something unique about her list. Almost all of her references are Bible verses. To me this is confirmation that Christy's goal was to have her readers draw closer to Jesus. What better way can they do that than by reading God's Word?

Christy has a way with words. She expresses her heart in such a beautiful way. This is a book about learning to trust Jesus as we follow Him more closely. I truly felt the peace of God coming off the page and into my heart.

But at the same time, Christy is not aloof, and she does not put on a presentation of perfection. Honestly I felt like I was listening to the words of a wise friend over a cup of coffee. Although she has had a successful career in music, this does not seem to have adversely affected who she is as a person. In fact, if I knew she was driving by my town, she is the sort of person I would feel comfortable inviting out for coffee or even into my home for conversation. I have read other books about seeking after God that can make me feel anxious and like I have so far to go. I did not feel that way at all after reading this book. I felt inspired.

The book is divided into three sections: The Calling of the Beloved, The Community of the Beloved and the Capacity of the Beloved. Each section has four chapters. The Scripture, illustrations and messages are woven together beautifully.

The only potential negative could be that if you listen to her "Glorious in the Mundane" podcast, she writes about several stories that I had already heard on that medium. This did not bother me because sometimes I like reminders. But it could be an irritation if you are expecting only fresh material.

I do highly recommend this book if you are looking for encouragement and guidance on how to grow closer to Jesus along the journey. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to read through NetGalley. I was grateful for that opportunity since this was a book that I definitely wanted to read. My gratitude did not affect my opinions which were formulated independently.

I saw this book a few times on Instagram & put it down on my list to read - so excited to see it was a part of Netgalley to review! What a refreshing read. Wow. The Life You Long For focuses on knowing that we are to be loved by God & take our place as His beloved. That is where we will lean in to the life we are longing, looking for, when we rest in God. About being who we were created to be, to be more effective and true to yourself, when you "live for the bullseye" of a life of rest in God. This is a book to read again and again, to cozy up with a blankey and a cup of coffee, take it in, in all its glory. His love is kind and generous, through trust and surrender we learn this. We can learn to live as God's beloved, and ultimately live the life we long for. Through personal experiences and stories as well as conversations with friends or insights from her work, Christy Nockels teaches us how to see God in the mundane and to know that simply being with Him is what He desires & is enough. Not what we do. But in who He is, for that is where He can work through us.

I almost hate to admit this, but I’ve never listened to any of Christy Nockels’ podcasts. However, the description of this book intrigued me and I knew I wanted to read it. Within just a new pages, her warm and personable writing style had drawn me into the book. The more I read, the more Biblical encouragement I received. There are principles from scripture in this book that I knew, but I needed to be reminded of them. We are indeed beloved in Christ, and that should be the source of our identity and purpose in life.

The author’s personal examples made this book seem as if I were sitting in a small group listening to her share her heart with us, There’s something in this book for ladies in all seasons of life, and I think it would be a good book study for any group. I liked it so much that I’m going to purchase a print copy and use it myself in a reading circle that I lead. I’ll be returning to this book again to carefully think though the concepts she presented on “The Life You Long For”.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I came to know Christy Nockels through her podcast. If you are familiar with her podcast, you will find the same messages and melodic writing in this book. She uses the analogy of a target to expose the ideas of "Living Outside-In" and "Living Inside-Out". Through personal illustrations and antedotes, she explores these concepts and also provides questions for reflection. The writing is very lyrical, as one would expect from an artist. However, when I listen to her podcast, I have to listen to it on double speed, and I wished I could do that with this book at times.

I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley

For those who have listened to Christy Nockel's podcast, a lot of this book will already be familiar. Many of the ideas / themes here were tested or first shared with podcast listeners in multiple "episode series"... and that does take away a good amount of appeal for the book because feels a bit like "I've heard this story before" or "You already told me that."

However, Nockel's does weave in many stories that have not been shared anywhere (that I'm aware of) -- podcast, social media, patreon, etc. She also includes portions of a dozen or so of her songs, often sharing the behind-the-scenes of how the song began. If you've listened to her music at all, you'll enjoy that aspect of the book!

The very last line of the book is the summary: the life we long for is a life of rest, and that's found wherever God is (and God is in and with us). I appreciated learning more of Christy's story and am glad to have read it, but don't think it's one I would personally ever pick up to start over and re-read.

I have been listening to Christy Nockels for over ten years now, so I was really excited to read this book! What I was not ready for was the reality check I would get reading it. This book really hit home for me and I was able to address things going on in my life. She shares her personal struggles and triumphs in this book that I can now relate to her as a person along with being a great artist. Music takes on a whole new meaning when you know where it is birthed from. The stories tell that she is just a regular person finding her way through life just like everyone else. We all have a personal story to share and we all have a bigger reason to share it. God has a purpose for what happens in our lives. How we respond to difficult times will shape our view of God. Trials will come in this life and we should always give glory to God. Strength will come through persevering the hard times and there is always a bigger picture we don't see because we are not God.

Christy allowed me to see I need to have my priorities set in correct order of what is most important in life. God speaks to us in different ways and in different places, but we need to pursue that relationship with him. We have a purpose in this life. Life is not all bout what we can do for God, it's about what God has done for us. We learn to serve from his example and humble ourselves to his purpose. I have realized that my importance comes from him not what I do or have done. We learn who we are once we find out whose you are.

This book was excellent! If you struggle with feeling that God is punishing you, lack of purpose, or life is just hard right now, this book will find a way to relate to you. With everything going on in the world there's a lot of anxiety, stress, uncertainty that it can make dealing with problems hard. Find out in this book how much God loves you and wants to guide you in this life. No matter where we are in life, God will keep pursuing us, he will always want us more than we want him. He will always be a constant in an inconstant world. Some books are good, but others hit at a personal level that can change your life. This could be one of those books for you.

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Life You Long For by Christy Nockels. I know her songs well, and I love many of them. But I wasn't quite sure if I would love the book and her writing style. I was two chapters into this book when I realized that this will be one of my favorite books. It is beautifully written, going just slow enough for the reader to process everything. Yet at the same time, each chapter holds so much insight and wisdom, presented beautifully and yet in a real & raw way. There are stories from the author's life and some of them, well, maybe they weren't completely necessary. But all of it ties into a beautiful story and a beautiful book.

Now, if you are looking for a book that offers a quick fix, this isn't it. But if you are looking for a book that you can sit with for a while, full of beauty and space to process on your own -- this is your book. This book is truly a beautiful invitation to discover your place in God's heart.

She is an artist. It must be this way... you start on the inside and it pours to the ouside. It can never be different. When I read this book it al made sence. This author has been part of my life and she will never know the blessing she has been for my life. The innumerable times we have been together in my kitchen, sharing tears (my tears). I appreciate her heart, her detail, her blooming words. I´m also thankful for her friends, I wish I could have that kind of friends. Friends who not just encourage you to do things for God, to be faithful just where you are, but friends who are happy when God teaches you something, leads you somewhere, and have you in his palm. Not everyone can deal with that. I´m happy to read there are other ladies out there who are trying to be faithful just where they are... not looking for something else, shiny things are irrelevant for them. It doesn´t matter the culture, it matters the heart, the eternal, the purpose God graved in our hearts. I don´t want to spoil this book to you. It was a lovely companion during my recovery time in bed, before surgery. God gave me peace through those pages, the Bible in one hand and Christy´s songs in the background, sweet time. I wish I could thank her someday. Who knows the future? probably someday in some event or workshop or something. I wish I could be there, singing in a small and private living room while we give glory to God for His faithfulness. I think I relate with her because we share some things in common. I love art, I love people but love my silence and space. I also grew up around very "famous and important people" (in my own mini country obviously) and I was in the music environment for years, I was surrounded with "prominent" people and that gives you another perspective of things, you see that the things people admire and follows it are not how they think. She gets that. I also quite everything to invest in my home. The last years I have said no to the most "awesome" opportunities in the eyes of everyone: family, friends, world, church and ministry friends. Some have thought that is a waste (of time, gifts, and life) they don´t even know what are they talking about, they don´t know the process inside your head and heart. This is one of the memorable books I will have for 2020. I´m so thankful about Christy, I pray for her and her family. Some people think they understand but if you don´t live it you don´t really know what are you talking about, you have to be there to really understand.

This was an encouraging and helpful read focused on living a life balancing rest and work. I appreciated her anecdotal stories along with scripture references. A good book to reread in parts as you face different seasons in life.

I had never heard of Christy Nockels. The cover and book description on NetGalley had me intrigued and I was happy to read it. This topic is close to my heart, being the beloved, living day to day, working and resting in this knowledge. She describes this living from the center of God's love as a bulls eye that we move out from.

I loved her honesty about laying aside a career for a time to be home with her children. The things she learned along the way. Reminders that we are so much more than the work we do or produce. God wants a relationship with us most of all. Being reminded of this living from God's love, it was as if the whole time I read this book I felt my mind meditating on God's love the way she described it.

This is truly a beautifully written book. I hope she writes again.

Over 20 years ago I took Cait & Bridge to a concert where the opening act was a duo (@christynockels & Nathan Nockels) just starting out with their first CD, Watermark. I fell in love with their lyrics which put to music many of the feelings I had on faith and life. I still often play it. We also met her & she was so sweet with the girls & talked openly with me on her hopes with starting a family. (they now have three). Was pleased to discover a few years ago Christy has a podcast, The Glorious in the Mundane, which I listen to often on my morning walks. I would think, she needs to write a book and she has! Even better, rest is a central theme! Such a gift to have received an advance copy. In these pages, Christy again guides both the beauty & the challenges of normal days towards a peace centered perspective. #sundaymorning #thelifeyoulongfor #inspirational #christynockels #watermark #faith

I was so drawn to the premise of this book - I know intellectually that the life I long for is found by being close to God, but i'm not always sure how to live that out. But the book is almost too beautifully written. It's filled with one artful metaphor after another, and I found myself saying, "Will you please just say what happened instead of kist alluding to it and then wrapping it all up with a neat bow?!?" If you are looking for the comfort of beautiful language, you will find it here. I can even imagine that reading this book aloud would be a lovely experience. But I wish there had been more substance, more scenes, more reality. The language of this book softens every edge, which was, ultimately, disheartening.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.