Discovering Your Big Dreams: A Review of ‘Rhinestone Jesus’ by Kristen Welch

Shortly after starting this blog, my husband suggested that I might want to read Kristen Welch’s Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith Is No Longer Enough. He knows me well and within a couple of pages, I was hooked!

Kristen always loved Jesus, even if the way she expressed it in her youth was through a slightly obnoxious rhinestone Jesus pin. She started out her adult life with big dreams of serving Jesus, but then life happened and the dreams were set aside. Eventually, her husband encouraged her to start a blog. One thing led to another and she was on a journey that led her to establish maternity homes for young girls in Africa.

This lovely ministry all started with a single yes answer that took her on a trip to Kenya to write blog posts about how the lives of kids’ living in poverty are changed through Compassion International’s ministry. As she entered the home of a child living terrible conditions, she couldn’t believe how happy he was. When he joyful exclaimed that Jesus was all he needed to be happy, it brought Kristen to a point where she was really able to reevaluate her faith in God and reshaped her in a way that she was able to say yes to God in a big way.

When I think about the beauty and brokenness that make up my life, it’s that moment in the slum – standing in Vincent’s home, where I realized Jesus wasn’t enough for me – that is my defining moment. It’s the moment of redemption for me.
Kirsten Welch, Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith Is No Longer Enough

If you are looking for a book that will inspire you to reevaluate your life and dream big as you follow Jesus, Rhinestone Jesus is the book for you! I used to have big dreams, but like Kristen, life happened and I became frustrated that little ever came out of it. There was the time that I was going to quit my job and start a bakery, but then I read a book about needing to wake up at 3am. Instead, I make elaborate cakes for family birthday parties and lots of baked goods for family breakfasts. Then I read several books about establishing a women’s shelter, made lots of plans, but then the realities of trying to run it while also being a wife made it seem too impractical. Instead, I contented myself with donating to an existing shelter and volunteering at a pregnancy center.

This is not to say that these smaller, alternative plans are bad, they can be quite good! As Kristen’s book said, it is more about saying yes one step at a time. Saying yes to baking for your family or to volunteering once per week at a pregnancy center can be exactly what you are called to be doing. These little yes answers often lead to something much bigger.

While it is true that God sometimes asks for a big yes answer, it should be realized that if a particular project consumes that vast majority of your time and energy, there are sacrifices that you will need to make. Rhinestone Jesus does a good job of inspiring the big dreams while also throwing in plenty of realities. If the big dream simply won’t work for your particular situation and point in time, she has plenty of practical tips for how alter your life to serve Jesus in smaller ways that add up to something bigger than just one person.

I can try to create an amazing career or impact the world with a global nonprofit, but if I end up with a family who is ignored or resentful of my efforts, what have I gained?
Kirsten Welch, Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith Is No Longer Enough

After reading this book, I am starting to dream again. Where will God take me? The theme of this blog is, “Following Jesus while seeking joy and contentment in the Christian Life.” If Jesus called me to write this blog, will it eventually lead to something more? Whether it is a big change or a small change, I am determined to be a joyful Christian satisfied with whatever God throws at me.

Kristen Welch is one of “those Christians” and her family is “that family.” If you are looking for some great inspiration, consider reading Kristen’s blog, buying her book, or learning about her non-profit that helps pregnant girls in Kenya:

Kristen’s Blog: Kristen Welch: We are That Family

Kristin’s Book: Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith Is No Longer Enough by Kristen Welch

Kristin’s Non-Profit: The Mercy House