I've been trying to work on a new blog post for a while now. And I wanted it to be "perfect." But the fact of the matter is that that is never going to happen. I've spent some time trying to come up with a “flawless” post talking about the Holy Spirit and Pentecost and feeling the presence of God. And while I’m still working on a post talking about these things, I’ve realized something. Being in a relationship with God doesn't have to be perfect or elaborate, it's simple. I've been reminded this week that this simplicity is living by faith.
My blog post isn't the only thing that I've tried to make "perfect." Most of this year I've struggled with being able to comprehend that I am worthy of God's love and grace. I make mistakes. I fall short. My relationship with God doesn't look like the relationships that other people have with God. I'm not nearly as talented as the people around me, whether that is pertaining to my athletic ability or ability to sing or paint or draw or play the guitar, the list goes on and on. I'm not as smart as the people around me. I'm only taking one AP class next year. I'm not as outwardly beautiful as the people around me. I'm not nearly as social. "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand," (Isaiah 64:8 ESV). Because of the comparisons I've been making in my life, I have been unable to see how differently God has sculpted each of us. I'm not supposed to look like someone else. And yet, we are all still the same in this: that we are ALL the work of His hand. Not only have I been unable to see that I was created to be the way I am, but I have let comparison rob me of the joy that comes from His presence and from being a disciple of Him. It's okay that we're not all alike. It's okay that our journeys don't look the same. We can't let comparison rob us of the joy of the Lord and our ability to share it with those around us. Psalm 119:73-74 says, "Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word."
"God, you have made me. Help me understand your character. Help me understand what I need to do to please you. Let me use my understanding to live a life according to Your will. Help me discern what Your will is. Allow me to live in-sync with Your will and be in constant prayer. Allow me to hear your voice. Allow me to listen. Let me rejoice with other believers when they have made the decision to commit to You. Allow me to live in fellowship with the other believers around me. Let us all have the joy that comes from putting our faith in You."
I don't have to be perfect. I am enough in God's sight because of the work that Jesus completed on the cross. It is finished; Christ has won. We have been set free from sin. We are now "held captive" by righteousness (Romans 6:18). Romans 3 talks about how we are made righteous through faith. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus," (verses 23-26). I need to stop comparing my short-comings to others' strengths because ultimately, we all fall short, in one way or another. But, God. He gives us grace as a gift.
No, I don't have to have it all together. My blog post doesn't have to be "perfect." My life doesn't need to be perfect in order for me to be worthy of God's love. Because it will never be. But God's love and grace are a GIFT that those who have faith can receive. That those who live by faith can receive. So stop comparing. Start living truly by your faith. Embrace being the person God created you to be. Further the kingdom.
