The Girl Next Door Does Christianity in a Post Modern World

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – That’s how the author of exciting new book, This Wondrous Life, describes her book in one sentence.

Andrina Rijken views herself as a regular girl who grew up in suburban Australia. Saved at a young age, she has passionately followed Jesus all her life. Everything seemed just the way it should. Yet despite all this, she began grappling with where she belonged in a rapidly changing society that felt ever at war with her Christian values.

Andrina found herself asking so many questions. “What is this all for? How do I keep my faith alive when progressive ideologies want to snuff it out? How can I, one person, have any impact or make a difference? Why would anyone want to listen to a seemingly ordinary person like me?” The only thing that felt certain was the knowledge that God was with her every step of the way.

Turning to Him, Andrina began pressing into God more than ever before, leaning on His Word for daily encouragement. As she did this, God began to speak to her and the words He spoke seemed to burn within.

“I started to write and a dream was birthed,” she said. “Maybe, just maybe, others feel this way too. Maybe what God is revealing to me can help others?”

Andrina’s book is honest and relatable, recognising that when faced with the daily grind, it can be easy to believe our life has little significance. We can assume that just because we don’t have a platform, or large social media following of thousands, that we have no influence. Different seasons in life cause us to reflect and re-evaluate, but sometimes leave us more uncertain and lacking direction.

Busyness, getting older, unexpected changes, disappointment and the ever-changing world around that is so contrary to the Christian’s core values and beliefs can make one feel like they have no voice, leaving them with an overwhelming sense of redundancy.

Thankfully, God’s ways are not determined by our circumstances, position in life, platform or scope of influence. He longs for us to experience the extraordinary – even when we think our lives are ordinary and average. In a world that is so often driving humanity to constantly achieve, strive, compare and compete, This Wondrous Life points the reader back to the still, small voice; to the seemingly mundane or ordinary that when lived abiding with God, ultimately is extraordinary.

Andrina is able to draw fresh insight from scripture and apply it honestly and openly to her life. Her message is timely and extremely important – a message for generations. She openly invites the reader into her story, providing immense encouragement through her own lived experiences and practical examples of seeing even the smallest details in life through God’s Word.

This Wondrous Life will encourage, uplift and inspire. It aims to help uncover the wonder of living a life with Jesus through the various seasons and experiences we face. By drawing upon powerful Biblical truths, Andrina demonstrates how to apply the Word and find fulfilment and purpose, regardless of the circumstances we face. She shares her personal testimony and discusses her faith in relation to topics such as perfectionism, worship, being a “Wonder Woman” in a dark world, how to be an intentional influencer, dealing with disappointment, and how to laugh at the future.

If you want to be encouraged in living a righteous, disciplined and truly wondrous life abiding in His presence daily, then this book is a must-read for you. This Wondrous Life, published by Ark House, is now available globally.

About the author

Andrina Rijken is passionate about being an extravagant worshiper and learning all she can about the Word of God. She desires to inspire others to experience a deep and wonderful relationship with their Saviour Jesus in their everyday lives. Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, she has been involved in many different aspects of ministry, including church planting, pastoral care, worship, youth work and children’s ministry. Andrina lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and children. She has a Bachelor of Speech Pathology with over twenty years of experience in this field. Andrina has recently completed a Masters of Arts majoring in Christian Studies at Alphacrucis University College.