11 min read ⭑
“What drives all of it is my desire for people to know they cannot out-sin God’s grace. Grace doesn’t excuse sin, but it doesn’t turn away the repentant sinner either.”
Shannon Stewart shocked the fashion world when she refused to compromise her convictions for a photo shoot while competing on the hit show “America’s Next Top Model.” As runner-up on the show, she went on to pursue a modeling career while standing firm in her faith. Over time, she learned that what she needed most — more than modeling gigs or people’s approval — was God’s grace, the very grace she had spent years trying to earn. Today, she serves at Be Renewed Church alongside her husband, Mike Lee, and will soon release her debut memoir, “Out of Focus: The Story of a ‘Good Girl’ Who Fell — and the God Who Never Let Go.”
In her exclusive interview with Rapt, Shannon talks about home and family, how failure has taught her how to receive God’s outrageous mercy and the quiet habits that slowly but surely grow her faith.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
Food is always about more than food; it’s also about home and people and love. So how does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
I grew up in a small town called Franklin, Ohio, where gathering around the kitchen table was a regular part of life. My dad did most of the cooking, and some of my favorite memories are of our family sharing a home-cooked meal. Looking back, it was never just about the food. It was about being together.
These days, home is Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, where my husband and I live surrounded by goats, horses, donkeys, chickens and lots of land. I love it!
There’s a restaurant in nearby Cary called Enrigo Italian Bistro that feels like an extension of home. The moment I walk through the door, I’m greeted with the biggest smiles and warmest hugs. They even have a nickname for my husband, and I’m not sure they know his real name!
One meal stands out. My husband, parents, sister, niece and nephew were gathered around a table outside. The sun was shining, a gentle breeze was blowing, and several of us ordered the salmon with cream sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.
But what I remember most isn’t the food. It’s the laughter, the conversations going in every direction and everyone genuinely enjoying being together.
I remember looking around that table, feeling grateful for the family God had given me. We’re far from perfect, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
I’ve spent much of my life being known for what I’ve done or what I look like. But at Enrigo’s, I’m just Shannon. They love me for me. And there’s something special about being known and loved without having to be anything other than yourself.
Cphotos; Unsplash+
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
What “nonspiritual” activity have you found to be quite spiritual, after all? What quirky proclivity, out-of-the-way interest or unexpected pursuit refreshes your soul?
Walking. It sounds so simple, but putting on my tennis shoes and heading outside has become one of the most meaningful parts of my day.
Just outside my neighborhood is a country road surrounded by fields of crops, goats that stare at me while they bleat and horses grazing in the grass. It’s quiet, peaceful and absolutely beautiful.
I originally started walking for exercise. I wanted to strengthen my heart and take care of my body. But somewhere along the way, those walks became something so much more.
I began noticing things I had overlooked before. The colors in the sky, the beauty of the changing seasons and how no two mornings look exactly alike. I often find myself marveling at the God who paints the sky differently each day.
Some mornings, I praise him. Other mornings, I pray, pouring out things I’ve been carrying that nobody else knows about.
There have been moments when I’ve been so overwhelmed by his presence that I’ve wept while walking down that country road. I’ve even had to stop and give myself a minute to wipe my tears before continuing.
There’s no stage, no microphone and no audience. Just me, walking along a country road, talking to the one who knows me better than anyone.
What started as a way to work out my heart became a place where I encountered God, and he began changing my heart.
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 all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power?
My kryptonite? Perfectionism. More specifically, the pressure I put on myself to get everything right.
For years, I believed that if I did all the right things, God would love me more. I remember hearing non-Christians criticize Christians over things they said or did. “Did you see what they did? Did you hear what they said?” I didn’t want to bring reproach to the name of Christ or give anyone a reason to question my faith. So I put enormous pressure on myself.
Somewhere along the way, my desire to honor God became tangled up with trying to earn his love.
Even today, I wrestle with this. When I’m speaking or recording my podcast, I want to do everything with excellence. Before I begin, I spend time in prayer, in God’s Word and in his presence. But if I stumble over my words or forget something I wanted to share, I can be incredibly hard on myself.
“You know better. You could have done better. What will people think?”
Sometimes I picture God looking at me with a smile while I’m busy criticizing myself. Not because I got everything right, but because I’m his daughter. He saw the time I spent with him before I ever stepped in front of a microphone. His love for me never depended on a flawless performance.
I’m learning that excellence and perfection aren’t the same thing. When those critical thoughts come, I have to recognize them and remind myself of what Scripture says is true.
My worth was never found in my ability to get everything right. It’s found in Jesus Christ.
I spent years trying to earn a love that, through Christ, I only needed to receive. And I’m still learning to live in the freedom of that truth.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming an author. After two failed attempts at writing a book, I thought that dream had died. Honestly, so had my desire to write one.
Then, in March 2025, one of my Instagram reels went viral. My inbox flooded with messages from people who saw themselves somewhere in my story. I believe God used those messages to plant seeds in my heart. Not long afterward, I sensed him telling me, “Start writing again.”
Twenty-two years later, that dream is becoming a reality.
My memoir, “Out of Focus: The Story of a ‘Good Girl’ Who Fell — and the God Who Never Let Go,” releases Feb. 23, 2027. There are chapters I wish I could erase, and taking off the mask to share those painful parts of my life wasn’t easy. But more than anything, I want readers to see God’s faithfulness woven throughout every chapter, even when I wasn’t faithful to him.
Alongside writing, I host the “Out of Focus” podcast, where I have honest conversations about faith, failure, identity and how God meets us in the places we least expect. I also serve in ministry at Be Renewed Church alongside my husband.
What drives all of it is my desire for people to know they cannot out-sin God’s grace. Grace doesn’t excuse sin, but it doesn’t turn away the repentant sinner either.
Becoming a published author is a dream come true, but if God uses my story to help even one person find their way home to him, it will have been worth every tear.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Whether we’re cashiers or CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need God’s love 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?
When I felt led to start a podcast, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! How do episodes get onto different platforms? What equipment do I need? How do I record everything? The technical side alone overwhelmed me.
But I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to take a step. I didn’t have to run up and down the entire staircase figuring everything out. I just needed to take the next step.
I’ll never forget how thrilled I was when I finally hit “schedule” on my first episode. I couldn’t believe God had allowed me to do this!
I’ve experienced this throughout my life. When I sense God leading me toward something, there’s often a stirring deep in my spirit. Even when the work requires tremendous effort, he gives me an excitement to pursue it.
Sometimes I’ll wake up with someone on my mind whom I feel prompted to invite onto my podcast. Other times, someone’s story on Instagram makes me stop scrolling and lean in. Those moments often lead me to prayer.
My husband smiles when I emerge from my podcast room, which is actually a bedroom! I leave those conversations energized by stories of God’s faithfulness and his relentless pursuit of those who have wandered.
How do I recognize his leading? By spending time with him, knowing his Word and remembering whom I’m ultimately serving. I don’t want to confuse my excitement with his direction.
I’ve learned that obedience doesn’t require having everything figured out. Sometimes faith means taking that first step while you’re still scared, trusting that the God who called you will be faithful to lead you through whatever comes next.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
Before I even leave my bedroom, I want to spend time with Jesus. I’ve learned how easily the day can slip away if I don’t make him a priority.
There’s a chair beside my bed with a tall lamp nearby. Most mornings, I grab my cozy blanket, plop down in that chair and rub the sleep from my eyes. My husband knows I’m awake when he sees the light shining through the crack beneath our bedroom door.
Before opening my Bible, I ask God to quiet the distractions in my mind, give me understanding of his Word and write his truth on the tablet of my heart.
My mind has a tendency to wander, so I’ve found that reading Scripture aloud helps me focus.
Years ago, I tried to read as much as possible in one sitting. Somehow, I equated reading more with accomplishing more. But I’ve learned that the goal isn’t to rush through Scripture. It’s to slow down, study, meditate and look for how each passage points me to Jesus.
I don’t want to simply know verses intellectually. I want God’s Word to take root in my heart and change how I live.
I’ve cried in that chair, overwhelmed by his love and faithfulness. And some mornings, I leave that room a different girl because I’ve spent time with my Father.
There’s a difference between knowing about God and truly knowing him. And more than anything, I want to know him.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and changed your heart?
Three resources come to mind, each one influencing my walk with Jesus in a different way.
1. “The Cross and the Switchblade” by David Wilkerson. I read this book years ago, but his story has stayed with me. He left his small town in Pennsylvania because he believed God was calling him to New York City. At first, things didn’t unfold the way he expected. But he persevered, and eventually, Teen Challenge was born out of his obedience. I could relate to following God somewhere and discovering that things looked nothing like I imagined. His faith encouraged me to keep trusting God even when I couldn’t see what he was doing.
2. Elisabeth Elliot’s writings. When I was younger, I read “Passion and Purity” and “Let Me Be a Woman.” Her words spoke to me during a season when I was navigating relationships, purity and what it meant to honor God with my life. I admired her convictions and her unwavering trust in God’s goodness through suffering. Her writing encouraged me to live out my convictions, while her life reminded me that God’s goodness doesn’t change when our circumstances do.
3. Philip Anthony Mitchell’s preaching. I love listening to someone who handles God’s Word with reverence and conviction. His ability to teach Scripture makes it come alive in my mind. I admire preachers who fear God more than they fear man, who aren’t willing to twist Scripture to gain a following or build a platform. His boldness challenges me to examine my own heart, deepen my understanding of God’s Word and remain faithful to the truth, even when it isn’t popular.
Certain things can be godsends, helping us survive, even thrive, in our fast-paced world. Does technology ever help you this way? Has an app ever boosted your spiritual growth? If so, how?
I absolutely love the YouVersion Bible App! There are so many wonderful reading plans available, but one of my favorites is “The Bible Recap” with Tara-Leigh Cobble.
A few years ago, I read through the Bible chronologically for the first time. I had never done that before, and it helped me understand how the different stories, people and events throughout Scripture fit together.
The plan takes you through the entire Bible in one year. Each day, you read the assigned chapters, which usually takes around 20 minutes, and then watch a short video where Tara-Leigh explains what you’ve just read.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve finished a passage and thought, Wait, what did I just read? Her explanations help me understand the historical context and recognize connections I might have missed.
But one of the things I appreciate most is how she encourages us to look for God in every passage. Instead of always asking what a Scripture means for me, I’m learning to ask what it reveals about him. His character, his holiness, his mercy and his faithfulness.
I don’t want to simply know more Bible stories. I want to know the God of the Bible.
Technology has made these resources so accessible, and I’m grateful for tools that help me study his Word. The app itself doesn’t change my heart, but God uses his Word to do exactly that.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s 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 used to be a big dreamer. I believed anything was possible with God. But somewhere along the way, I began holding tighter to my dreams than to him.
When life looked nothing like I’d imagined, years of disappointment and hope deferred left me heartbroken and disillusioned. I questioned God’s goodness. What had obedience gotten me?
There were seasons in the wilderness, times of refining and even a pit I dug myself into. But God never abandoned me. As the things I’d built my identity around fell away, I discovered that if all I had left was him, he was enough.
For a while, I stopped dreaming. I think I was trying to protect my heart from disappointment. But I’ve learned that God’s goodness isn’t determined by my circumstances or whether my dreams come true.
Today, I don’t have a five-year plan. I simply want to be faithful with what he’s entrusted to me. I’d love to model again, and I sense opportunities may open for me to speak and share my testimony. That excites me, but it also scares me. I still struggle with feeling inadequate compared to gifted communicators.
My prayer comes from Acts 4:13. I want people to recognize that I’ve been with Jesus. I may not have the credentials or polished delivery of others, but I’m not depending on those things. I’m depending on the Holy Spirit.
I still believe in the God of wonders. I’m just learning to hold my dreams with open hands.
It’s interesting — almost comical — how often we think we’re in control of our own lives and success. But the truth is, “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Prov. 16:9, ESV).
Yet as Shannon mentions in her interview, this doesn’t mean we’re supposed to stop dreaming or praying bold prayers or making bold requests. It simply means we hold our goals and desires with an open hand.
Consider journaling this week: What do I want God to do in my life? Where do I want him to move? And how can I align my heart with his so that, no matter what happens, he is still my greatest treasure?
Shannon Stewart is an author, speaker, podcast host and former model best known as the runner-up on America’s Next Top Model. Once recognized for standing firm in her convictions, Shannon later discovered her need for the very grace she had spent years trying to earn. Today, she serves alongside her husband, Pastor Mike Lee, at Be Renewed Church in North Carolina and hosts the Out of Focus podcast, featuring conversations about faith, failure, identity and redemption. Her debut memoir, Out of Focus: The Story of a “Good Girl” Who Fell — and the God Who Never Let Go, comes out on Feb. 23, 2027.