I know two things about myself, without a doubt:
#1) I am extremely far from perfect. I screw up all the time. If you were to watch me in the short run, I'm a failure. I’m inconsistent. More times than I'd like to admit, I'm a hypocrite. In short, I’m a big old sinner.
#2) I love God and believe in Him 100%.
And what has knowing these two things done for me? They have proven that God exists.
(I can hear the squeal of the brakes now as some people breathe that in.....)
I’m not sure if people would find that silly? Or jarring? Or hard to accept? Or similar to their view? I’m also not sure if people realize how perfectly #1 and #2 work together?
When I look at all that I’ve achieved and acquired; all the difficult times I’ve made it through; my family and career; the talents I’ve developed; my faith life; my future prospects; I feel so very blessed. And if I consider only point #1, none of it makes any sense. I’m too weak and too much of a failure. So, as I reflect on things, I know without a doubt, the reason for all of it is #2. Another way of saying that, is for me, everything I’ve achieved, acquired and grown for the better proves to me that God exists.
I worry that there are people so focused on the truth of #1, they haven’t even allowed themselves to take #2 seriously. I worry there are people with such heavy hearts and insecurity because #1 makes them think they have to hide themselves and avoid the truth.
When we accept #1 – and really own it – the hard work is done. We can then test out #2. And after enough tests you realize you can’t fix yourself. You need God. And as you focus on Him, and more and more find His strength in your weakness, things start to work out. And as they start to work out, the light starts to shine a little brighter. You realize, all the worry and anxiety and fear was a waste. And then you get used to the taste of this #2 Kool-aid, and your thirst is never quenched, so you mix up more and more of it. You reduce yourself further and further so that His light can shine brighter and brighter.
I pray that we accept who we really are so that we can allow ourselves to depend on Him and let His light shine. Let’s not bang our heads against the wall thinking we can fix it. We can’t. We need Him. Let’s mix up some of that special Kool-aid and get chugging.
#1) I am extremely far from perfect. I screw up all the time. If you were to watch me in the short run, I'm a failure. I’m inconsistent. More times than I'd like to admit, I'm a hypocrite. In short, I’m a big old sinner.
#2) I love God and believe in Him 100%.
And what has knowing these two things done for me? They have proven that God exists.
(I can hear the squeal of the brakes now as some people breathe that in.....)
I’m not sure if people would find that silly? Or jarring? Or hard to accept? Or similar to their view? I’m also not sure if people realize how perfectly #1 and #2 work together?
When I look at all that I’ve achieved and acquired; all the difficult times I’ve made it through; my family and career; the talents I’ve developed; my faith life; my future prospects; I feel so very blessed. And if I consider only point #1, none of it makes any sense. I’m too weak and too much of a failure. So, as I reflect on things, I know without a doubt, the reason for all of it is #2. Another way of saying that, is for me, everything I’ve achieved, acquired and grown for the better proves to me that God exists.
I worry that there are people so focused on the truth of #1, they haven’t even allowed themselves to take #2 seriously. I worry there are people with such heavy hearts and insecurity because #1 makes them think they have to hide themselves and avoid the truth.
When we accept #1 – and really own it – the hard work is done. We can then test out #2. And after enough tests you realize you can’t fix yourself. You need God. And as you focus on Him, and more and more find His strength in your weakness, things start to work out. And as they start to work out, the light starts to shine a little brighter. You realize, all the worry and anxiety and fear was a waste. And then you get used to the taste of this #2 Kool-aid, and your thirst is never quenched, so you mix up more and more of it. You reduce yourself further and further so that His light can shine brighter and brighter.
I pray that we accept who we really are so that we can allow ourselves to depend on Him and let His light shine. Let’s not bang our heads against the wall thinking we can fix it. We can’t. We need Him. Let’s mix up some of that special Kool-aid and get chugging.