From Sunday Best to Soul Rest: Jonathan McReynolds Shares Lessons in New Book
- Raven Alexis
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Explore how Jonathan McReynolds's new book , Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams, shows readers how to embrace rest for true success.
Jonathan McReynolds is no stranger to the spotlight. From chart-topping gospel hits to his role as a sharp but soulful judge on Sunday Best, he’s spent years perfecting his craft in front of millions.
And with his recent 2025 GRAMMY win for Best Gospel Performance/Song, it’s clear that his talent continues to reach new heights.
But in his new book, Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams, Jonathan McReynolds flips the script. Instead of writing another playbook on success, he offers something far more rare: permission to pause.
If you’ve been running on empty—serving, striving, and showing up for everyone but yourself—this might be the book your soul didn’t know it needed.
Jonathan McReynolds on Trading Stage Lights for Stillness
For years, Jonathan McReynolds has captivated audiences with his raw, reflective lyrics. Songs like Make Room and Not Lucky, I’m Loved gave us a glimpse into his spiritual journey. But in Before You Climb Any Higher, he takes it deeper—sharing how he discovered that the valleys of life hold just as much value as the mountaintops.
In the book, McReynolds gets candid about the hidden cost of constantly being “in demand.” The applause, awards, and accolades are beautiful but can also be deceiving. He admits that the most meaningful moments in his life didn’t happen on stage but in the quiet spaces in between.
“The valley isn’t a place of defeat; it’s a place to reconnect with grace, love, and encouragement,” McReynolds writes. “It’s not about finishing, achieving, or producing—it’s about being. It’s where we are reminded we are more than our accomplishments.”
For anyone chasing dreams, Jonathan McReynolds offers a much-needed gut check. His book reminds us that rest isn’t the enemy of success; it’s the soul’s fuel for it.
A Timely Message for the Black Church and Beyond
Jonathan McReynolds’ message hits differently when you consider the culture of the Black church. In a space where service, excellence, and performance are often held in high regard, the call to pause can feel like going against the grain—almost rebellious.
Whether you’re a minister, musician, or pew member, you know the grind: serving Sunday after Sunday, rehearsals, revivals, and running on fumes in the name of faithfulness. And while service is sacred, Before You Climb Any Higher reminds us that God also calls us to stillness.
McReynolds isn’t telling us to stop climbing; he’s just giving us permission to breathe along the way.
Vulnerability from a Voice We Trust
This book is so compelling because it’s coming from him—Jonathan McReynolds. An artist we’ve watched win, lose, and evolve in real time. He’s not a celebrity preaching from a distance. He’s the artist who’s shown up in both the light and the shadows, letting us witness his growth through both.
His honesty in Before You Climb Any Higher is refreshing. He doesn’t romanticize success or downplay the valleys. Instead, he offers wisdom from both the standing ovations and the silent, stretching seasons.
Why You Should Read Jonathan McReynolds’s New Book
If you’re on a mission: whether in ministry, music, business, or simply chasing God-sized dreams—Before You Climb Any Higher is worth your time.
For dreamers, it challenges you to pace yourself so you don’t burn out before you reach your vision.
For the weary, it gives you permission to rest without guilt and reminds you that God’s love is not performance-based.
For achievers, it invites you to see the valleys not as setbacks but as sacred spaces where real growth happens.
Jonathan McReynolds may be known for his Sunday Best critiques, but this time, he’s handing out something far more valuable: a reminder that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your soul is to step away from the stage and simply be.
Grab Your Copy of Jonathan McReynolds’ Book
Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams by Jonathan McReynolds is available now through Thomas Nelson Publishing. You can find it here.
If you’ve read it, let us know: What was your biggest takeaway? Did it challenge how you view rest and success? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk about it.
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