Do you Measure up?

We live in a country that is trying to create a paradise here on earth, only to have the cold water dashed on its dreams.  Aging, losing jobs, death, divorce, etc.

If only we can work, work, work harder to belong, to achieve, to live up to some unattainable standard.  Why would people even care about Heaven if they can attain it here through their own hard work?   The lie is that paradise comes to the one who works hard enough. Isn't that the American dream?  The one who works the most hours. the one who studies the hardest.  The smartest.  The fasted. The funniest.  The prettiest.  The one who practices perfectly, becomes perfect.

And if we can't be the best, be the worst.  Even that seems to pay off.

And in spite of all we do, we never seem to arrive. Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes calls it "chasing the wind".  It always seems to be within reach, but we are never able to grasp it.  The "it" I speak of is "a full and satisfying life". Paradise.

Of course, the experts unequivocally promise that if we do this or that, we will finally have that utopia.  You know:  good health, financial success, a beautiful home, great kids, a great career, a great marriage-- no problems.  No sin.  We'll finally be satisfied.  We'll finally have inner peace.  Everything will be perfect.

 The solutions seem so clear, yet no one can seem to execute them. 

And christians have believed the lies too.  In the name of being a good christian, I've found myself trying to be good, and feeling guilty because of my constant failures.   I've listened to the experts too, and I've continually added to my "to do" lists.  Since I want a good marriage, I must... If I want my kids to feel loved, and to reach their maximum  potential, I must... If I want to have financial success, I must... The list just grows and grows.  If I want to be healthy, I must...

And don't you love it when the "expert" changes his or her recommendation or when the "experts" have opposing views?

Why are we listening to these people and who made them experts?

I long for a simple life.  A life where I am free.  Free to fail.  Free to take risks.  Free to love. Free to dream.  Free to live out my convictions.  And life won't come to a crashing halt if I'm wrong, or if I fail.  

I need forgiveness, and redemption.  I need a remedy for my "not measuring up".

Our Creator, understanding the gravity of the situation far better than us, provided the remedy.  Jesus is that remedy.  I know His name is familiar, but hear me out.   Because He knew that mankind struggles with an endless  pursuit of that which we can never attain, Jesus came and achieved for us what we could never do on our own.  He measured up.  Not to human standards of being handsome, or funny, or rich... but to this perfection that we're all trying to attain.  He did it.

He never sinned.  He didn't even contemplate it.

Then He transfers His perfection to us.  At least He transfers that perfection to those who will receive it.  It's free.  And it's yours if you want it.  That's what His life, death and resurrection was all about.  It was about our Creator loving us so much that He gave His One and only son so that we wouldn't have to live apart from the source of life, hope, joy, contentment, peace, goodness, beauty... 

Jesus died so that we might be free. From what, you say?
Good question.

From ourselves.  From our "not measuring up".  We are like hamsters on the perpetual wheel of life going no where FAST. We all know we don't measure up.  Even if we consider ourselves good people or others consider us good, we know we just can't seem to get it ALL right.  There is always more to be done, with no end in sight.  Even those who have chosen religion to help ease the burden, often find new burdens heaped on.  Go to church. Give to the poor. Pray. Read the Bible.  Attend Bible Study. Volunteer at church. ..And the list goes on and on.

But Jesus offers the remedy.

"Come all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30 

Are you tired of the hamster wheel yet?  

Jesus offers you a free gift.  FREE and no strings attached.

He offers you everything you've been working for today.  EVERYTHING you long for. EVERYTHING!

Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.  Revelation 22:16

Only Jesus offers this free gift.  We can "measure up" because He offers us His perfection.   

Believe in Yourself?

I just realized something.  It goes along with my last post.  I trust in my perceptions more than I trust God.  I trust what I see, what I feel, what I hear, what I think, more than God's word.  Why do I do that?  It seems foolish as I ponder it.  How many times have I misinterpreted what I see?  How many times have I misunderstood what someone has said?  How many times have I misheard someone, or come to the wrong conclusion?  MANY TIMES!!!!!  Yet I still have faith in ME.  (I'm hearing the song: Believe in yourself as I believe in you... lyrics @ the end of the post) I say to myself, "God I don't know if your word is really true for me, because I see something different and I trust my eyes more than your words."  Well... I don't really say that, but my actions communicate it.

Have you done that as well?

God promises that He will NEVER leave nor forsake us.  But their are times when I feel forsaken and left by God.  And I ask the question, "God where are you?"  (Don't get me wrong, God wants us to be open about our feelings, so if you feel that way, ask the question.)  At that moment, what I feel takes precedence over what God has said.  I believe He's left me, because I don't FEEL his presence.  So I'm trusting in my feelings rather than His words.

His words are trustworthy, not my feelings.
He is trustworthy.

He promises to meet ALL OF MY NEEDS.  I don't need to spend one second worrying about needs.  But I worry all of the time about needs.  Why?  Because it doesn't look like my needs are being met. I don't know how my needs will be met.  The provision I have doesn't look like enough, so I worry or try to "figure it out".  Most times I do both.  Worry, pray and try to figure it out on my own.  Rather than resting in His promises.  If He said he would provide, I can trust Him.  Then I'm free to do His work:  seeking the kingdom and His righteousness.  When I trust Him, I can thank Him with the "not enough", and the "not on time" (not on my time), and the "not the way I expect".

I can trust that His ways are always perfect.
He's always acts at the proper time.
He's moving, even when I don't perceive anything.
He CANNOT fail.
He loves me for more than I can ever imagine.
He always brings about the HIGHEST good in my life.
He has the full capacity to execute every one of His promises.  In fact, it's easy for Him!
I cannot figure Him out or what He's doing, but I can trust His heart.  He loves me.

No more believing in ME, for I fail myself and others over and over and over and over again.  (At least, I'm consistent. ) But He NEVER fails me.   Instead...

I think I'll Believe the Words of the Most High God.

The song sums up the lie of believing in yourself quite well.  Have you believed these lies as well?

Believe in Yourself

(charlie smalls)

If you believe
Within your heart
You’ll know that no one can change
The path that you must go
Believe what you feel
And know you’re right because
The time will come around
When you’ll say it’s yours

Believe that you can go home
Believe you can float on air
Then click your heels three times
If you believe
Then you’ll be there
That’s why I want you to
Believe in yourself
Right from the start
Believe in the magic
Right there in your heart
Go ahead believe all these things
Not because I told you to
But believe in yourself
If you believe in yourself
Just believe in yourself
As I believe in you 

No thank you.  I'll believe God instead.