Cynthia Heald, a well-known author and Bible teacher, is an encourager of women. Her desire is to help women around the world grow in a deeper relationship with God through abiding with him daily. Her “Becoming a Woman of…” study series has been a resource for many who want to grow to reflect Jesus in every area of life.

In this interview, Cynthia recounts the delight of original farm-to-table meals shared with her grandparents and family, the joy of a “nature bath” on a solitary morning walk, and the reward of consistently abiding with God. Cynthia shares vulnerably about an experience that helped dismantle her people-pleasing tendencies and how, in this season of life, her aim is to keep her focus on things that are eternal. Keep reading to hear the wisdom she’s gained on her journey of learning to abide in the vine.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There's much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

Having grown up in Houston, Texas, and having lived in Tucson, Arizona, for the past 45 years, Tex-Mex and Sonoran Mexican food have always been a frequent and enjoyable part of my diet. But a meal that stands out in my mind is one I had at my grandmother’s home.

My grandmother lived in the piney woods of southern Louisiana on a farm where she raised chickens and had a big garden. As a young city girl, it was always an exciting trip to this “little house on the prairie.”

One visit, when I was a young girl, I found her plucking a chicken for dinner. As I sat down next to her, she taught me how to pull out the feathers. It was hard work, but it was definitely a unique experience for me. We then went to her garden and picked green beans. I watched her cut up the chicken, flour it and fry it. She made biscuits and put them in an iron skillet to bake. After placing a piece of ham into the beans to simmer, she mashed the potatoes and made gravy.

My parents and little brother, my granddad, and a couple of cousins all sat around a beautiful old dining table, and we feasted on this original and authentic “farm-to-table” dinner prepared with devotion and a desire to serve. As I recall this meal, I've concluded that perhaps meals that are lovingly prepared and enjoyed with special people are the ones that are most memorable.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So, what are yours? What so-called "nonspiritual" activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal?

I live in Tucson, and most days I look forward to early morning walks. The air is cool, it is quiet, and I can enjoy the distinctive beauty of the Sonoran Desert. My walk is peppered with the monarch of this desert—the saguaro cactus, which is rare and, with minor exceptions, only found here. This unique cactus provides fruit in the summer, lovely white flowers in May, homes for birds year round, and fun poses with their growth of “arms,” which seem to pop out sporadically and comically on their tall, majestic bodies. Over time, I sense that it is my duty to oversee their progress and well-being!

A blessing on my walks is meeting and greeting my neighbors. Most of them have dogs, and as we spend time visiting, I get to know their pets. A dear British neighbor has two corgis: Pippa and Kate. I’m also acquainted with a rescue greyhound — Axel, a sheltie named Cody, and a regal white standard poodle named Lily. These encounters provide much pleasure.

Frequently, I listen to audio books, sermons and podcasts as I walk. These walks are a perfect time for me to “read” and to be instructed spiritually. There are times I feel the need to forgo any listening and spend my time praying and hearing from the Lord.

In our busy world, my solitary morning walks bring physical and spiritual renewal, joy, and encouragement to my soul. As the Japanese have observed, I have experienced the blessing of a “nature bath.”

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it?

I am a consummate people pleaser, so many years ago God began his program of freeing me from pleasing people to pleasing him. The initial lesson was painful but much needed.

I had just begun to speak at women’s conferences, and after a full day of speaking at one engagement, the committee took me to dinner and “thoughtfully” brought along the evaluations. We ordered, and then the evaluations were read and passed around the table. As the papers crossed my plate, I read, “We did not like the speaker,” “The speaker was too serious” and “We liked the speaker you had last year.” I was devastated, humiliated and wanted to crawl under the table. Somehow I endured the dinner, but the minute I returned to my room, I told the Lord, “I’m never speaking again!”

After my pity party, I heard God’s thoughts in my heart: “Cynthia, if I want you to speak and no one likes you, will you speak anyway?”

“Oh, no, Father, I can’t speak if no one likes me.”

“But if it is my will for you to speak my truth, will you do it just for me?”

Thus began my journey of seeking approval from the Lord and not from people. I’ve come to realize that it is a matter of trusting God to free me to be who he wants me to be — not who people want me to be. I’ve also come to realize that this is a lesson he wants for all his children.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours?

After spending about 30 minutes in a jewelry store with a very patient sales clerk, I went to the cash register, and she typed in my phone number. She studied the screen and then said, “Are you the Cynthia Heald who writes Bible studies?” I was caught off guard. I immediately thought, “What do I say? Did I behave like a Bible study author? Was I kind, considerate and Christlike?”

Although I have known the Lord for decades, I was profoundly convicted after this experience. I became aware that I probably go through most of my days interacting with people in various circumstances but not consciously thinking about reflecting the character of Christ. Of course, we should naturally exhibit the fruit of the spirit, but more often than not I’m more concerned about my agenda and getting things done.

I realized that I needed to be more intentional in representing Jesus to all I encounter, so I began to study the scriptures. The verse that gripped my heart was 1 John 2:6: “Those who say they live in God should live as Jesus lived.” Living as Jesus lived is challenging, but after exploring the Bible, I wrote a six-week study entitled “Becoming Like Jesus.” The book addresses Jesus’ communicable human qualities that we can imitate: obedience, holiness, unconditional love and trust in our Father.

This has been a transformational study for me because I have come to understand that God’s purpose for all of us is to become like Jesus and reflect him in our everyday lives.

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?

Although I have written several Bible studies, writing is not one of my favorite activities. Yet it has become apparent over the years that my taking time to study the Bible and record the relevancy of scripture to our lives is God’s chosen activity for me because it is his method of teaching me.

One of my frequent prayers is that I would hear and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I have never heard the Lord speak audibly, but I have sensed his thoughts in my heart: “Now, Cynthia, it is time for you to study and learn to apply how to love, how to be free or how to become an excellent woman who brings me glory.” Again, these are thoughts that he brings into my mind. I know it is the Holy Spirit because they are very good ideas that I never would have thought of and it is usually something I don’t want to do!

While conversing with a friend, I shared my afternoon plans of study and my view of writing by telling her, “I am going to go chain myself to the computer.” As I sat at the computer and prayed, I heard in my heart, “Oh, Cynthia, I thought that this was our special time together.”

These words of loving affirmation, encouragement and guidance continue to inspire and impel me to do what he wants me to do.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, spill it, which spiritual practice is workin' best for you right now?

Many years ago the words of Jesus found in John 15:5 penetrated my heart: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” The last few words of this verse seemed to be highlighted by a divine yellow marker. I thought, “Okay, Lord, if I don’t remain, stay connected to or abide in you, then I will go through life doing nothing of eternal value.”

Realizing the necessity of spending time with the Lord and remembering the example of Mary of Bethany, I wrote my definition of abiding: consistently sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his word with a heart to obey.

A Bible-reading plan enables me to read through the Bible every year. (Yes, I read Leviticus!) Along with scripture, I read one or two devotionals and then spend time in prayer — listening and talking. I record any thoughts in my journal. This time is usually no longer than 20 to 30 minutes and can be spent anywhere: at home, at work or at a coffee shop. Morning is the best time, but it is not the only time — it can be any time of the day.

Abiding is my favorite practice because it allows me to be still, to be quiet and to focus on the Lord. It produces intimacy and faithfulness and guarantees I will not go through life doing nothing.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources — lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff, too. What are some resources that have impacted you?

After editing one of my studies, the editor concluded, “I think we should say that this book is by Cynthia Heald and Oswald Chambers.” I nodded in agreement because I had quoted him several times. Apart from the Bible, Oswald Chambers’ yearly devotional “My Utmost for His Highest” has continually challenged and taught me to be Christ’s disciple. Here is a sample: “...never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in him.”

C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” never fails to teach me about God and his ways. Lewis wrote of a fantasy world inhabited by talking animals that parallels our real world and depicts the gospel of redemption through Aslan, the lion. When Susan and Lucy ask Mr. and Mrs. Beaver if Aslan is safe, Mr. Beaver responds by saying, “Safe? …Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”

One other book that has impacted my life is “If” by Amy Carmichael, missionary to India. It is a small book with only one or two sentences on each page, but the sentences are profound and impactful. Here are some of her thoughts: “If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” She also writes, “If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season — and tell us what it's done for you.

One resource I have had for a while but am currently using almost daily is “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary” in two volumes — the Old Testament and the New Testament. Warren W. Wiersbe was an internationally known Bible teacher and former pastor of The Moody Bible Church. This Bible commentary differs from others, for it is more like a devotional. Wiersbe writes in a very conversational style, tells stories and has numerous quotations from other godly writers.

As I read through the Bible and come across a passage that is a little perplexing, I immediately turn to Wiersbe and read his thoughts and explanations. He is very clear, very biblical and always focused on God and his purposes. He is a great help in my understanding of scripture, and he challenges me to keep fixing my eyes on Jesus.

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

I am now in my eighth decade, and what seems to be occupying my thoughts is to finish well and to be in the center of God’s will. Because my time is limited, I don’t want to have any regrets with the choices I make. I’m feeling my way and praying to be God’s woman wherever I am.

I do want to be more intentional in my walk with God. Someone observed that as we get older, we should go slower but deeper. My desire is to draw closer to the Lord and to increasingly become responsive to the promptings of His Spirit. I smile because my last study is a result of his prodding. I kept putting off writing “Becoming Like Jesus” because I am no authority on this topic and I kept telling the Lord that I was too old to write. What I eventually heard in my heart was his voice: “Cynthia, I think you are out of excuses.”

I am not sure what lies ahead, but I know that God is with me and will guide me. Oswald Chambers taught, “We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.”

For now, each day is a precious gift, and I want to embrace it and concentrate on that which is eternal: God, his word and people. Winnie the Pooh sums up my feelings beautifully: “‘What day is it?’ asked Pooh. ‘It’s today,’ squeaked Piglet. ‘My favorite day,’” said Pooh.

Cynthia Heald’s example of obedience and devotion is an encouragement that we can all become more like Jesus through abiding in the vine. Cynthia defines abiding as “consistently sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his word with a heart to obey.” The consistency of abiding in his word and presence is the pathway to deepening our walks with him. Take a minute to reflect on your life. If you desire deeper connection to the vine, ask him to show you how to abide in the middle of the circumstances you’re in today. John 15 says that when we stay connected to Jesus, the vine, we’ll produce an abundance of fruit.

Cynthia Heald