These are the days I walk around feeling like the word LAME is taped to my forehead.
Apparently James, the brother of Jesus, understood.
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. (James 3:2) (AMP)
The words that stand out most to me are all and often. Not one of us gets it 100% right all the time. In fact, this Scripture points out what my heart already knows so very well: I frequently mess up. It’s never my goal or intent, but it sure happens.
And then I feel lame.
But the truth is that though our hearts accuse us (and boy, mine sure does on those days…)
God is greater than our hearts.
Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God’s hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him]. (1 John 3:20) (AMP)
God is greater than our hearts.
What a blessed, glorious relief. {Inhale deep joy here.}
Nothing is hidden from God. Not my efforts, my attempts, my failures. Not even my disappointment in myself. But He is greater than all the repulsive junk accumulating in my heart. And He knows that deep down I long to please Him, but my humanity often gets in the way.
When I turn to Him, in His vast loving-kindness, He embraces me, then gently removes the LAME sticky-note from my forehead and plants a kiss there. Because He loves me. Because I am His. And though I mess up, He understands, and He forgives me when I ask. {And I ask. A lot.}
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. (1 John 1:9)
And that’s when I realize I am not lame…we are not lame. We are imperfect, clinging to His perfection.
So even on those days when our insides feel like they’re crumbling, when it feels like our mistakes are tallying up faster than votes on Election Day, when our hearts keep track of every single mess-up {why, oh why do we do that to ourselves?} we can run to His perfection, confident that He is far greater.
He. Is. Greater.
As our imperfect hearts turn to Him, we are washed, forgiven, covered, and loved.
He. Is. Greater.
He. Is. Greater.
Repeat after me: I am not lame; I am imperfect, clinging to His perfection. He is greater on those days. He is greater every day.
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9 comments:
God's perfect timing with this message today. I had "one of those days" yesterday.
Me too. Just not sure how to learn from those days so they are fewer.
Hi Anonymous,
I want fewer of "those days", too! I think the best thing for us to do is to spend time in God's Word and in prayer, and to ask Him to help us walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh (Galatians 5:16). And when we mess up, instantly repent and ask for forgiveness, then get up and try again in His grace. As it says in Proverbs 24:16, " For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again,"
And of course, we remember that He is greater. Always.
:-)
This post was exactly what I needed to read this morning. Our Father's Heart does not condemn us. It can be really tough to trust in the Grace of God. Julie, would you be able to pray for this to sink into me and the rest of the folks reading your post today?
This is exactly what I needed today. Loved the part about God replacing my negative view with his kiss, very powerful! Thank you!
Lord, You know how much we need for Your amazing truths to sink into our hearts. Will You please enable us to walk closely to You, trusting in Your grace every moment? God, we know that apart from You we can do nothing. But with You and through You we can do all things. Thank you for changing us, for increasing in us, and glorifying Yourself in and through us. In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
Amen!
Julie please know your efforts really do more than you will ever know! God bless you!
Great article! So happy I came across your writing.
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