I still fall into trying to be a good Christian:(
I'm learning that's a seriously dangerous goal. Beneath that seemingly good goal, is a performance, 'me-focused' understanding of walking with God. It reveals my misunderstanding that I have to do stuff well - I don't, I can't. If I really understood how free I am by the cross ALONE - and how my performance seriously has nothing to do with God's love and affection for me. I would live differently.
I had a breakdown on Friday and it was the culmination of try, try, try harder, try to figure it out, try to piece it together, try, try, NOT WORKING!
I am living by the false gospel that says, "Billy, make sure you nail this presentation at Children's ark today...make sure you say the right things when you meet with this guy today...make sure you affirm 8 (not 6) people today...make sure you don't spend more than x amount on food this month...blah blah blah."
I am seeing that the things most forefront on my mind over the past year or so have been things having to do with the Gospel, but not the heart of it. Things relating to Christ, things that can better my relationship with Him, spiritual disciplines that have to do with Christ, spending time with community that also loves Christ...but it hasn't been Christ Himself. Community is flawed, disciplines are flawed, small groups are flawed, services are flawed, Christian books are flawed. Christ is not flawed. Neither is the cross(Heb 10:14).
I am seeing how easily it is to fall into setting my mind on things other than Christ's cross. It is the most important thing to ever happen, and there is no better thought for me to set my mind on than that. When i sit on it, I am reminded of my sin, and I can temporarily see the frailty of trying. It - out of love - affirms that "Billy, apart from me you can't do anything. Literally nothing. Apart from me humanity is screwed. But because I love you. I made a way, offering renewal and regeneration."
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Father, I can't walk in your statutes. I try and try and fail and fail, I'm sick of it. I feel like my walk has led me to give up - and I feel like that's a good thing. Would you help me give up and just press into You who will never deny my seek. Would you captivate me so that I am able to sit at your feet and wait, aiming to live obediently while you refine my heart. Will you give me the strength to endure the many, many withdrawals of my flesh as my heart is transformed in You. You are so good, Lord. Truly soo far beyond all comparison.
giving up is the best thing you can do. it leaves room for God to display Himself in all authority and power and magnificence in your life. there is no more "billy" in your actions, rather God. our capacity to love and serve and have faith is so finite. however allowing God to love and serve through us comes from an infinite source that is unadulterated and unwavering at its core. the road that gets us to a place of "giving up" is often painful but i'm glad you're here and i am so excited to see what God does with you from here! p.s. come back! we miss you
ReplyDeleteExactly what Dannah said...it's not even about trying, or about being a good Christian, saying the right things, doing the right stuff -- I think when we get caught up on the details of it all, it discourages us. I want to receive my food and strength from the main source, which is God, and let everything else fall into place.
ReplyDeletepraying for you now Billy. That He may continue to operate in all that comes to pass.
ReplyDeleteLast paragraph = so good. I am echoing your prayers and affirming them to Christ. Your heart is pure & this motivation that you are sharing with us is beautiful & pleasing to the Lord. You may feel that you are just in a mucky place, but Christ is refining you in His fire & when He pulls you out a greater amount of glory will be on display for His name. You are an admirable man and I am thankful that God has allowed me to observe your walk & who you are. There aren’t a lot of people like you. Keep up your search for the Lord’s truth, may you trust in His faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteAs humans we like to think we have it all together, we are in control, and that our striving is what will get us somewhere. As Christians, God wants us to be open and in surrender and rely on Him for strength and to be in control. That is hard to do... This is something I am learning is to be fully identified in Christ. I want to be so confident in Him that I reflect Christ. Thanks for being honest and sharing your heart. I'll be praying for you Billy! Hope you are enjoying Hawaii. :)
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