Hola

Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This one is written on my mirror in my bathroom, so that every time I look at it, or wonder what the scribble is all over my otherwise-pristine bathroom (...in my dreams!), I'm reminded of the encouraging words that were written to the Thessalonians by Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Of course, the church at Thessalonians was faithful and passionate about God, and I'm not sure that I measure up to that right now.

Again, I'm having a hard time. I'm learning more and more with each day though that what I want is not all it's cracked up to be. This is a good thing for me, because it helps me to realize that my ultimate satisfaction and peace comes from knowing and trusting God. This is also a difficult thing for me because it's a hugely humbling experience to realize that all that you've worked for isn't satisfying or completing at all.

Humility is stressed repeatedly throughout the Bible as a crucial quality of true Christ-following. Anyone that accepts Christ and God's Word must acknowledge that hey, we don't know it all, and we're not actually here to do whatever we please even though God gave us free will. It's a continuous struggle in everyone's life, even after they've accepted Christ it seems, to just continually hand over the reins to the Lord in heaven and let Him guide you wherever He sees fit. I want to know where I'm going, what I'm doing when I get there, how long it's going to take, and who is going with me. However, that isn't trusting God or His plan, it isn't accepting His perfection and holiness, and it isn't honoring Him.

I realized something this morning though, as I was dealing with my own failures and frustrations. I am actually on that path. I don't mean that as a boast, and I'm still stumbling along the way for sure...but I feel it. I know that God is with me, picking me up and holding me in His loving arms when I fall. I know that He is God and that He is miraculous and full of grace and mercy and He still loves me. It doesn't excuse my sins. It doesn't mean that I don't need to continue to take steps to avoid temptation. But it does mean that I need to stop focusing on the bad that I've done, and rejoice in the great gift of life that He has given to me!

I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying them down for the JOY of the LORD.

I will never be perfect. I will always struggle with sin and willfulness and pride. But I am a child of God, forgiven and made perfect by His blood.

Hebrews 10. Great chapter. Read it :)

And spend some time worshiping and praising Him, instead of dwelling on your sin. He's already washed it away anyways, so get up, dust your boots off, and get back on the horse.