Sarah Young, the celebrated author of the “Jesus Calling” devotional, passed away in August 2023. Today, her profound legacy of pointing readers to Christ lives on through her bestselling books and the continued global impact of her ministry.
For millions of believers around the world, the name Sarah Young is synonymous with intimate, heartfelt devotion to Jesus Christ. Her beloved book, Jesus Calling, has become one of the most widely read Christian devotionals of our time, drawing countless readers into a deeper, more personal relationship with the Lord. If you have ever wondered about Sarah Young today — where she is now, what happened to her, and how her writings continue to impact the body of Christ — you are not alone. Many faithful readers seek to understand the woman behind the words that have shaped their daily walk with Jesus.
In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Sarah Young, from her quiet, prayerful journey with the Lord to the extraordinary global reach of her devotionals. We will address common questions, including where Sarah Young is today, whether she had children, and how her writings remain firmly rooted in Scripture. Whether you are a longtime reader of Jesus Calling or someone just beginning to discover her work, our goal is to honor her legacy by pointing you back to the One who inspired it all — Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Who is Sarah Young?
A Life Dedicated to Jesus
Sarah Young was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Her life reflected a deep, personal relationship with the Lord. She was not merely an author; she was a servant of God. Her primary desire was to hear from Jesus and share His words with others.
Sarah was born in 1946 in Nashville, Tennessee. She later moved to Australia with her husband, Stephen Young. There, she worked as a Christian counselor. Her professional life was rooted in her faith. She sought to bring the peace of Christ to those she counseled.
Furthermore, Sarah was a woman of prayer. She spent countless hours in God’s presence. This intimate communion with Jesus became the foundation for all her future writings. Her journey was one of quiet obedience and surrender to the Holy Spirit.
The Birth of Jesus Calling
The story of Jesus Calling is a testament to God’s faithfulness. In 1999, Sarah began writing down the words she felt Jesus was speaking to her. These were not her own thoughts. They were messages of comfort, hope, and guidance she received during her personal devotional time.
Initially, she kept these writings private. They were for her own spiritual growth. However, she felt led by the Lord to share them with others. As a result, the first edition of Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence was published in 2004.
The book’s format is unique. Each entry is written as if Jesus is speaking directly to the reader. This approach resonated deeply with millions. It offered a simple yet profound way to experience God’s love daily. The devotional quickly became a global phenomenon, translated into dozens of languages. [1]
Ultimately, Jesus Calling was born from a life of prayer. It was a gift from a humble woman who simply wanted to listen to her Savior. Her legacy continues to draw countless souls closer to the heart of Jesus.
Where is Sarah Young Today?
Her Passing in 2023
Sarah Young went home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 31, 2023. She was 77 years old. Sarah had been battling Lyme disease for many years. Her health struggles were significant, yet her faith never wavered. Even in her darkest moments, she clung to the promises of God. Her family shared that she passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. [2]
Many readers mourned her passing worldwide. However, her death was not a cause for despair. For those who know Jesus, physical death is not the end. The Apostle Paul wrote, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Therefore, we can rejoice knowing Sarah is now in the presence of Jesus Christ.
Sarah often wrote about eternal life. In her devotionals, she reminded readers that our true home is heaven. She pointed people to the hope found in John 14:2-3: “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you.” Her passing fulfilled the very truths she proclaimed daily.
Her Lasting Spiritual Legacy
Although Sarah Young is no longer with us physically, her spiritual impact endures powerfully. Her devotional book, Jesus Calling, has sold over 45 million copies worldwide. [3] It has been translated into dozens of languages. Furthermore, millions of readers continue to find daily encouragement in her writings.
Her legacy rests firmly on the Word of God. Sarah did not seek to replace Scripture. She consistently directed readers back to the Bible. Every devotional in her books is rooted in biblical truth. She used her own prayerful conversations with God to draw people closer to Christ. As a result, countless believers have deepened their personal walk with Jesus.
Today, her work continues to bless many people. Her family and publishers continue making her books, journals, and devotionals available. These resources remain a source of comfort and hope.
Ultimately, Sarah Young’s greatest legacy points to Jesus Christ. She dedicated her entire life to knowing Him more deeply. Her writings reflected a surrendered heart. She desired for others to experience His peace, joy, and hope.
Her influence lives on, reminding Christians everywhere that a life devoted to prayer and Scripture produces eternal fruit.
How to Read the Jesus Calling Daily Devotional for Today
Finding the Reading for Today
Reading the Jesus Calling devotional is a wonderful way to start your day with the Lord. Each entry is written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to your heart. To find today’s reading, simply locate the date on the calendar. The book is organized by day, from January 1 through December 31. Turn to today’s date, and you will find a short, powerful message waiting for you.
For example, if today is March 15, you would open the book to the March 15 entry. Each reading includes a devotional thought and a carefully selected Bible verse. This structure makes it easy to use every single day of the year. In addition, many readers find it helpful to pair their reading with a few minutes of quiet prayer.
Here are a few simple steps to get started:
- Open Jesus Calling to today’s date.
- Read the devotional message slowly and attentively.
- Read the accompanying Scripture passage in your Bible.
- Spend a moment in prayer, asking Jesus to speak to your heart.
Furthermore, you can also access the Jesus Calling devotional through the official app or website. This is especially helpful when you are traveling or away from your physical book. The digital version ensures you never miss a day with the Lord.
Reflecting on the Message
Once you have read today’s entry, take time to reflect on what Jesus is saying. The goal of Jesus Calling is not just to read words on a page. It is to encounter the living Christ in a personal way. As Sarah Young wrote, the devotional is meant to help you experience peace in His presence.
To reflect deeply, consider the following practices:
- Read it twice. The first time, simply absorb the message. The second time, listen for a specific word or phrase that stands out to you.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for insight. Pray and ask God to reveal how this message applies to your life today.
- Journal your thoughts. Writing down what you feel and learn helps you remember God’s voice throughout the day.
- Memorize the Scripture. Commit the Bible verse to memory so you can meditate on it all day long.
It is important to remember that Jesus Calling is not a replacement for the Bible. Rather, it is a tool that points you back to Scripture. Every message in the book is rooted in biblical truth. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The devotional works best when you let the Holy Spirit guide you into deeper study of God’s Word.
In addition, sharing what you have learned with a friend or small group can deepen your understanding. Talking about the reading with others helps you see new perspectives. It also encourages fellow believers in their walk with Christ.
Ultimately, the purpose of reading Jesus Calling is to draw closer to Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). As you read and reflect each day, trust that He is speaking to you through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. Let His peace fill your heart, and let His truth guide your steps.
What Happened to Sarah Young?
Sarah Young’s story reached a bittersweet conclusion on August 31, 2023. She passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind a profound legacy of faith. Her death was due to complications from leukemia, after years of struggling with the illness. [4]
For many believers who had been touched by her words, the news was deeply saddening. However, even in her passing, Sarah’s focus remained fixed on Jesus Christ. Her family shared that she continued to trust in the Lord’s plan until the very end.
Her Final Words and Legacy
Before her death, Sarah had been living a quieter life, far removed from the spotlight her books had brought. She continued to write and refine her devotional works, always pointing readers toward Scripture and a personal relationship with Jesus.
Her passing serves as a reminder of the hope that anchors every Christian. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 4:14, “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Though Sarah Young is no longer with us physically, her writings live on. Millions of copies of her books continue to inspire, challenge, and comfort believers around the world. Her daily devotionals guide many Christians into a deeper walk with Jesus.
Therefore, the question of “what happened to Sarah Young” is not just a historical inquiry. It is an invitation to discover the hope of eternal life she proclaimed and the peace she found in Jesus.
Does Sarah Young Have Any Children?
Sarah Young and her husband, Stephen Young, were blessed with two children. Their family has been a central part of their lives and ministry. Both of their children have walked alongside their parents in faith and service to the Lord.
Furthermore, Sarah and Stephen are proud grandparents. They have three grandchildren who bring great joy to their family. The Young family has always valued their time together, grounding their relationships in the love of Jesus Christ.
As Sarah Young today is remembered, her legacy extends far beyond her bestselling books. It lives on through her children and grandchildren. They continue to honor her memory by walking in faith. Her family remains a testament to a life dedicated to the Lord.
Exploring the Books of Sarah Young
Sarah Young’s writings have touched millions of hearts worldwide. Her devotionals focus entirely on the person, presence, and promises of Jesus Christ. Through simple, prayerful language, she invites readers into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Savior. What follows is an overview of her most beloved devotional books, each one pointing believers back to the unchanging truth of God’s Word.
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Jesus Calling is the book that changed lives across the globe. Published in 2004, it has sold over 45 million copies and has been translated into dozens of languages. [5] The entire devotional is written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader. As Sarah Young explained, the entries are written from the perspective of Jesus, based on Scripture and her years of prayer.
Each day’s reading is short and focused. The message centers on trusting God completely. Themes include:
- Finding peace in the presence of Jesus Christ
- Resting in God’s sovereign control over all things
- Trusting His promises found in the Bible
- Drawing near to God in every season of life
- Overcoming anxiety through prayer and faith
One of the most powerful aspects of Jesus Calling is its simplicity. The language is accessible to new believers. Yet the depth of truth it covers speaks powerfully to mature Christians as well. Every entry reaffirms that Jesus is alive, present, and deeply involved in the lives of those who trust in Him.
For example, many entries remind the reader that God has not abandoned them. This reflects the truth of Hebrews 13:5: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Through this devotional, countless readers have found comfort, encouragement, and a renewed desire to spend time with Jesus each morning.
Jesus Calling is organized by date, making it easy to follow day by day throughout the year. This format encourages consistency and daily intimacy with the Lord. Even with recent discussions around Sarah Young’s passing in 2023, the book continues to be a cornerstone resource for Christians seeking Jesus today.
Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence
Following the tremendous impact of Jesus Calling, Sarah Young released Jesus Always in 2016. This devotional shifts the central theme to joy, specifically the deep, abiding joy that comes only from a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The premise is clear: true joy does not depend on circumstances. Instead, it flows from knowing that God is good, faithful, and near. Each daily reading invites the reader to exchange discouragement, fear, or emptiness for the joy that Jesus offers.
Key themes in Jesus Always include:
- The joy of salvation through Jesus Christ
- Finding strength through the Holy Spirit
- Replacing worry with worship and thanksgiving
- Trusting God’s plan even during suffering
- The hope found in Christ’s resurrection and return
This book is especially meaningful for readers who are walking through difficult seasons. Sarah Young understood suffering personally. She experienced chronic illness and physical limitations for much of her life. Jesus Always reflects that lived experience. The writings do not minimize pain. Instead, they lift the eyes of the reader to the goodness and sufficiency of Jesus.
The joy described in this devotional is not superficial happiness. It is a spiritual anchor rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As the psalmist declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Jesus Always captures this truth beautifully on every page.
Jesus Today: Experience Hope through His Presence
Jesus Today is Sarah Young’s final devotional, published posthumously in 2021. The central theme is hope. In a world filled with uncertainty, division, and suffering, this book points readers to the one unfailing source of hope — Jesus Christ the Lord.
The message of Jesus Today is profoundly timely. Many people today feel hopeless. Illness, loss, broken relationships, and global crises weigh heavily on the human heart. Sarah Young responded to that need by writing entries that declare the living hope found only in Jesus.
Core messages in this devotional include:
- Jesus as the hope of the world
- The promise of eternal life through faith in Christ
- God’s faithfulness in every generation
- The assurance that nothing separates believers from God’s love
- Living with purpose and confidence because of the gospel
Romans 15:13 states, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus Today is an extension of this prayer. It fills the reader with the peace that comes from resting in God’s promises.
Although Sarah Young is no longer with us physically, her words continue to bless and strengthen believers around the world. Jesus Today, along with her other beloved devotionals, offers a timeless investment into the spiritual health of His Church. Her writings endure because they point to One who never changes — Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
The Biblical Foundation of Sarah Young’s Writings
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Scripture as the Source
At the heart of Sarah Young’s writings stands one unshakable foundation: the Word of God. Every devotion in Jesus Calling begins not with human wisdom but with Scripture. Sarah Young anchored each daily reading in biblical truth, drawing deeply from the well of God’s Word.
Young did not set out to replace the Bible. Instead, she sought to guide readers back to it. Her role as an author was always pointing beyond herself — toward Jesus Christ and His eternal Word. The Bible is the ultimate source of authority, and every page of her devotionals reflects this conviction.
Consider how she approached her writing process. Young spent extended time in prayer and Bible study before penning a single word. As a result, each devotional entry bears the fingerprints of Scripture from start to finish.
- Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This verse captures the guiding principle behind every Jesus Calling entry.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
- John 1:1 affirms, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Himself is the Living Word.
Sarah Young understood that no devotional writing carries authority on its own. Only Scripture holds that power. Her writings were always intended to serve as a bridge — leading readers into a deeper, more personal encounter with the Bible and with Jesus Christ Himself.
Furthermore, Young drew from a wide range of biblical passages — from the Psalms of comfort to the prophetic promises of Isaiah, from the Gospels’ portraits of Jesus’s love to the apostolic letters’ teachings on grace. This breadth ensured that her readers encountered the full counsel of God’s Word through their daily readings.
Aligning with Biblical Truth
One of the most important questions any Christian reader should ask is: “Does this align with Scripture?” By God’s grace, Sarah Young’s writings consistently point in the same direction as the Bible. They affirm the core doctrines of the Christian faith without deviation.
Her devotionals rest on these essential biblical truths:
- The sovereignty of God. Scripture teaches that God reigns over all creation (Psalm 103:19). Young’s writings reflect this truth by comforting readers that Jesus is always present, always in control, and always working for their good.
- The love of Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the heartbeat of every Jesus Calling entry — the relentless, pursuing love of Jesus.
- The peace that surpasses understanding. Philippians 4:7 promises, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Young devoted an entire book — Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence — to this biblical promise.
- The hope of the resurrection. First Peter 1:3 praises God, “who has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This hope permeates her later work, Jesus Today: Experience Hope through His Presence.
It is worth noting that Sarah Young was a committed member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a denomination that holds firmly to biblical inerrancy and Reformed theology. [6] Her theological convictions were not vague or sentimental. They were rooted in historic, orthodox Christianity.
However, it is always wise for readers to test what they read against Scripture. Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures daily to verify what they were taught. We encourage every reader to do the same. Let the Bible be the final authority. Let it confirm, correct, and deepen every truth found in devotional writing.
Sarah Young’s legacy endures because she pointed people not to herself but to Jesus. Her writings remain a tool — a helpful, encouraging, Scripture-saturated tool — for drawing closer to the Lord. As you explore her devotionals today, hold them up to the light of God’s Word. You will find that they shine brightest when they reflect the glory of Christ alone.
As Jesus Himself said in John 5:39, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” May every page we read — whether in the Bible or in a devotional — lead us to the same destination: a deeper, more intimate walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Jesus Calling”?
“Jesus Calling” is a bestselling daily devotional written by Sarah Young. It presents itself as Jesus speaking directly to the reader through short, written messages. Furthermore, each reading includes relevant Scripture passages that align with its message.
How biblically accurate is the shack?
The novel “The Shack” has raised many important questions among Christians. However, it is essential to examine all content against Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The book contains perspectives that do not align with Biblical truth. For example, its portrayal of the Trinity has been widely critiqued by theologians and Bible scholars.
While some find certain principles within the novel helpful, we should note these key concerns:
- The novel can promote universalism, which contradicts scriptures like John 14:6 where Jesus states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- The depiction of God’s character in the novel does not consistently align with how He has revealed Himself through the Bible.
- Any teaching or book that presents Jesus differently than how He is revealed in Scripture should be viewed with serious spiritual discernment.
In conclusion, we should always use Scripture as our primary foundation and authority for faith and practice.
Is Sarah Young still alive?
Sadly, Sarah Young passed away on August 31, 2023. [7] She died at her home in Brentwood, Tennessee, after a long battle with Lyme disease. Nonetheless, her devotional books continue to impact millions of lives around the world. Her legacy points readers to the power and presence of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
Even today, her written ministry still encourages believers to draw close to the Lord.
In all things, may we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Sources
- https://www.christianpost.com/news/jesus-calling-author-sarah-young-dies-at-77.html
- https://www.christianpost.com/news/sarah-young-author-of-jesus-calling-dies-at-77.html
- https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/9781400333109
- https://www.christianpost.com/news/sarah-young-jesus-calling-author-dies-at-70.html
- https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291487/jesus-calling-by-sarah-young/
- https://www.pcanet.org/
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/06/us/sarah-young-jesus-calling-author-death/index.html
