A Different Kind Of Resolution

Imagine you walked out your door into the world to begin your day only to notice that everyone around you had text bubbles over their head revealing the worst mistakes they had ever made. Your family and friends, coworkers, and strangers on the street were all revealing sins they never meant for anyone to know about and yet, they had no choice. The text bubble didn't lie. How would you react?

Your best friend with the pornography addiction. The family member that was a thief. That stranger walking around with murderer written in his bubble. Would it change your opinion about those you know and love if you saw their darkest secrets?

Now imagine your worst mistake. Imagine it too is written in a bubble for the world to see. Perhaps it's adulterer, or drug addict, or alcoholic; what would your text say about you?

You begin to get the stares, judgement and disappointment in loved ones' faces as your flaws are revealed. How would that make you feel?

We are often quick to judge others based on their worst days. We would NEVER do THAT!, we think to our self.

But the funny thing about our mistakes is that they really don't label us unless we let them. Its not the perfect past that God the Father is looking for, it's an humble heart that submits to His healing and perfecting.

And while someone else's mistake may be absolutely awful when it's completely exposed, in the eyes of God, so is mine.

That's right. We're all on an even playing field. Every mistake that I've made is revealed to the Father. Every mistake that you've made is revealed. And yet, He loves us still.

We may not really have text bubbles that reveal to others what we've done, but we should be open and honest with God and our self about the mistakes we've made.

And we should definitely be careful not to quickly label others based on something in their past.

Lets make a resolution for 2017. Lets stop pointing fingers and placing blame, throwing stones and labeling.

Lets learn how to forgive others and forgive our self. Lets start 2017 with the resolve that we will be in this fight together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, encouraging each other to continue to choose God's way.

You are not your past mistakes. You are not your past hurts or disappointments. Don't forget that. You are loved. You are redeemed. The only label you wear is Child of the King.

When Your Best Isn't Good Enough...

Have you ever given your all to something only to fail at accomplishing what you set out to do? 

I have. 

One of the biggest disappointments of my young life was the time I auditioned for the TMEA state choir my senior year of high school. After having a great district audition placing 2nd and an exciting region audition placing 4th, I only needed to keep my spot in the top 5 at the pre-area tryout to move on to the state audition for the chance to sing with the best in Texas. I could feel it. The win. It was close. 

When the time came for my audition at pre-area, it wasn't a case of forgetting my cutoff or entering too early. I did everything perfectly, the way I'd been practicing. When I went into the room full of judges behind the marker board to sight read a piece of music, I had no trouble at all. I was prepared for the unknown solfege. 

I gave it my all. But there was just one problem. I had fallen ill. Running a low grade fever with the congestion and cough that goes along with it. And when the names were called at the end of the night, I had given up my spot in the top 5 and had to settle for place number 6, better known as the first loser. 

At 17 I had to learn the oh so difficult lesson that sometimes life just doesn't go as you plan no matter how hard you work to accomplish your goal. Sometimes your best just isn't good enough. I had to learn that time and chance play a part as well. And ultimately, that God's Will prevails. 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Prov. 16:9

Maybe you've felt this way. Perhaps you've felt it in ways much more serious than a singing competition. You put your heart and soul into a business idea that never took off. You clocked in early and never took a sick day at your job and yet still endured a layoff during cutbacks. Maybe you have tried to be a friend to someone within your world that has just decided to hate you no matter what. 

Maybe like me, you've had times where your best just wasn't good enough. 

It's a painful feeling, not being good enough. You pour yourself completely out only to receive rejection in return. 

But there's a truth I am reminded of in scripture, every time my best efforts still end in lack. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

-2 Cor. 12:9

Let's break down what this verse really means in application for us. 

1. His grace is sufficient. Let that sink in. His grace is enough. More than enough. It is all you need. His grace turns your "not good enough" into "more than enough." His grace is sufficient. Rest your soul with that knowledge.

2. His power is made perfect (complete) in weakness. You feel weak? You have sin? Struggles? Disapointments? Are you tired of trying so hard and still failing? It is at our weakest points that His power can really work in us. 

How does it do this? Well, in my experience I've seen His hand in fulfilling many promises just when I need them; an unexpected kind word of encouragement from a stranger on a day I feel down, or money somehow stretching farther into the month than it should have according to the calculator. Those well known promises of His provision and protection? It's in these weak moments that I have found Him to be faithful to fulfill them. 

His power also works in another way though; perhaps even a more important way. Let's look at the rest of the verse again.

3. I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  How could Paul boast in weakness? Maybe Paul knew that weaknesses- whether it be a sin problem, trial, or struggle- could also be a sign of growth. It's proof that His spirit works within us. When we begin to recognize areas in our life that do not line up with God's word, it's easy to get down or depressed. But the truth is, that's the job of the Holy spirit. To reveal our own personal growth opportunities. It is through His power that we can rest in the knowledge that whatever we face is preparing us for something in our future. Our job is simply to obey His leading to conform to His image.

After all, where is the testimony without the test?  Where is the message without first the mess?

Years have passed since my TMEA days and I've seen failure in my life much more serious since then. Even when my intentions are pure, sometimes I just miss the mark. 

Maybe you've felt these same feelings. Let me encourage you to rest in His promises. His grace is sufficient. You'll feel it when you least expect it. Open your eyes to the spiritual blessings all around you. This- whatever is going on in your life right now- is just a step in the journey. Keep on keeping on, friends.