SelfLess: Living Your Part in the Big Story of God

by Megan Fate Marshman

In SelfLess, popular speaker Megan Fate Marshman exposes the source of self-limiting beliefs that create needless striving to be good enough and points to powerful truths that can transform life into a new experience of freedom, joy, and love.   People desire to be significant; however, ironically amidst a self-help and “find-me” culture, they become their own greatest obstacles. Significance cannot be created through self or found by desperately reaching for other people.   An abundant life, joyful spirit, and the awe of touching others can only be found by allowing God to fill hearts to overflowing. By moving over and giving Him everything, people discover what they really seek and join the amazing adventure of God’s wondrous story.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Christianity

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jared Donis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 *'s

[Joshua Riding · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only problem with this book is that there isn’t more of it. The idea that God should be the center of your life and not yourself is a topic that the greatest theologians could and have spent hundreds of pages, yet Megan Fate Marshman so eloquently expresses how vital it is to the health of your soul, to your salvation, and manages to do it in so few pages. Her stories she shares, the biblical precedent she bases her message on, all comes together to form an amazing testament to God’s amazing love and desire to put you in His story. I’d recommend this to anyone; to the one at the end of their rope, starved for love to the one who has love in their life.

[Joan Eppehimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, But Unbalanced

This book really had some good thoughts and they helped me a lot. A significant portion was given to the gospel message, which is fine if it was written for the unbeliever. So I found the message of being selfless very helpful, but about half of the book addressed what the gospel message is, and not how to live selflessly. Still it was well worth the read.

[David Yamasaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Fate Marshman is an exceptional teacher and author who uses incredible illustrations to present a message in a way that you won't soon forget. This book is filled with relatable, personal stories to illustrate the message of looking to God for fulfillment, rather than people, things, or aspirations, which cannot satisfy forever.

As Megan says, the story that God is telling through your life isn't all about you... but it does involve you, and you play a very important part. It's not about working or trying harder, it's about learning to look to God for love, peace and joy rather than temporary things and pursuits. It's about allowing Him to completely fill you with these things so that you can share them with the world out of the overflow of what He gives you.

If you're tired of depending on other people, things, pursuits, good works, or other temporary sources of fulfillment to make you feel contented and loved, and you want to better understand your role in the story that God is telling through you, then this book is for you.

5 stars. Highly recommended.

[Lilly Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like an applied reading of the woman at the well in John 4. The stories and images used are phenomenal. The first chapter alone is by far the best. In fact, I read it four or five times over the course of two years before finally reading past to finish the book. The cup metaphor is brilliant. As someone who tends toward perfectionism, there was so much in this book I needed to absorb.

This book paints an idyllic picture of life with Christ and the Kingdom of God. However, it relies heavily on substitutionary atonement. It also emphasizes how everything, including the past can be used for good and God's glory. However, she never specifically addressed trauma. I wonder how a trauma-informed approach would affect her theology? More work needs to be done in this area.

*Note, I had the privilege of hearing Megan Fate Marshman speak at a retreat my university sponsored, and the ideas in this book are powerful. I, along with everyone else in the room was weeping by the end of the night, I think because she made us feel seen.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was given this book after the author spoke at our women's spring event covering much of the book. Was tickled to see my friend's husband's review right there in the beginning pages.
This book is perfect for the unbeliever, the new believer, and the career Christian. It's like all the best quotes of last bible studies and religious books I've read the past few years rolled into one. The gospel and life as a believer streamlined. She hits all the topics: idolatry, shame, emptiness, loneliness, gluttony, greatest commandments, and much more... well packed in there. But all bringing it back to the simplicity of the Gospel. It's one you'll want to gift to your circle of influence.

[Dove Champagne]

I loved ths book. Megan reminds us all that God uses us just as we are, including our flaws and failuers, to be a part of the story that He is working in everyone's life. I bought the book after hearing Megan speak at a women's conference. Reading the book is like having a trusted friend beside you, cheering you on, to give your burdens over to God and reminding you that He has a purpose for you wherever you are at.

[Carol Sente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Marshman is an amazingly humble, funny and relatable pastor. I love her stories and this book includes some good ones. I read this book as part of a women’s book club at my church and so discussion always makes reading more fun. If you are looking to deepen your faith and find ways that God may be using you and me, in all our messy, needy and broken ways, let God fill you up so He can use you to fill up others.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a little book with a LOT to say. I recognize that I have to change sown things and I know that it won’t happen in a day, but being aware is the first step.

Reading this after How To Win Friends And Influence People was really neat because they work together well. This added a Christian perspective and how we can “love others well” by having our cup tilted up to God.

[Joy Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read as part of a book club at our church. It was definitely an easy read. The author talks about us having our cups lifted upward to be filled by God rather than outward to be filled by other people. It was an easy to understand book about the basics of following Christ and living for Him.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful message in a tiny package. Megan deals with many issues and reminds the reader to tilt your cup upward letting Jesus fill you rather than tilting outward to try to have something else fill it. This is one I will read over and over.

[Shammoy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A M A Z I N G!

Love the honesty and substance of how beautifully the story, rather our part in God’s story unfolds.

I would add or subtract nothing from this read.

I was hook. Thank you

[Punky Broomster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Fate Marshman really knows how to pack a punch! I loved this book the first time I read it so obviously it’s not surprising I still do. It reminds me of where I need to be in life. Both times I read it, I’ve taken away something different. I will definitely read it again in the future.

[Jan Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and understandable

The book is different than I was expecting, Megan writes with clarity and conviction. She use a scripture as well as personal stories to illustrate her points.

[Kelly A. Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great, quick read! I only wish I could have listened to it on Audible. If you've never heard Megan speak, she brings passion & conviction that is infectious!

[Bridgette Hintermeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Fast read and so much to think about! It’s not our story, it’s God’s story. It’s a fantastic book and fantastic read

[Jaron Brandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

"God can do whatever he wants with whomever he wants, whenever he wants."

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed to hear. Wonderful and fulfilling.

[Deanna + Jamie Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Fabulous book explaining how we are supposed to be filled to overflowing with God's love but how easy it is to get trying to be filled by the love of others.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did her Bible study, Meant for Good, and this is very similar. Shares some of the same stories and "God slaps" she's experienced in life.

[Moriah Mucha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an intro into the topic of selflessness. Definitely written for high schoolers not olde adults which I didn’t know. Good, but not great.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like drinking a glass of cool water. Very encouraging.

[addison hisaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

as a christian teen, this was super helpful and humbling.

[Emma Tatum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy read, but filled with so much truth pointing you back to the gospel! A book helping you get back to being self-less: truly learning how to think of yourself less!

[Robert Shuey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in His Story

It good to know we are part of God’s story. All that we need for the abundant life is found in Him. Let God fill your cup to overflowing. Selfless is a reminder that all we need for life is found in Christ Jesus.

[Leiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was inspirational but in a good way called you out

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. It definitely had me reflect how I hold my cup. It's an easy read but has lots of insights.