Jesus is President

Election time is here again, so I’m just going to say it: JESUS IS PRESIDENT.

That’s my politics.

Let me explain.

Two thousand years ago, the followers of Jesus began their movement as a radically subversive group in the middle of the Roman Empire.  And they had a phrase that they commonly said to each other: JESUS IS LORD.  Now, we’re obviously familiar with that phrase today, because we say it all the time in our churches and even print it on our bumperstickers.  However, the implications have definitely changed over the years.  

See, the Roman Empire’s leader, Caesar, had some bold titles that people used to describe him.  Throughout the Empire, Caesar was referred to as “Redeemer,” “Lord of all,” “Savior of the world,” “King of kings,” Lord of lords,” and so on.  Sound familiar?  

“CAESAR IS LORD”

That phrase was common language to citizens of the Roman Empire.  And, it implied several things: the perceived deity of Caesar, the Empire’s faith in him to be the answer to the world’s problems, and the belief that he alone possessed dominion and authority over the entire world.  In essence, by confessing “Caesar is Lord,” they were saying, “This world is not right, but Caesar is the solution to fixing it.” 

But the Christians in the Empire disagreed.  They believed that there was another King, besides Caesar, who was the real answer to the world’s problems.  They confessed that a condemned Jewish carpenter-turned-rabbi, whom the Empire had shamefully executed in public, had actually risen from the dead and was, in fact, the true Savior of the world.  They confessed that this homeless teacher who publicly hung naked on a Roman cross was the real King of kings and the real Lord of lords.  They confessed that Jesus was King, and Caesar was not the sovereign authority in the world.  They confessed “Jesus is Lord.”  Whoa…

Their confession wasn’t accepted or ignored.  It’s what led to Christian after Christian being thrown to lions and gladiators.  It’s what cost them their lives.  Imagine this scenario.  A Roman soldier passes a regular citizen on the road and says, “Caesar is Lord.”  The person faithfully replies, “Caesar is Lord.”  He passes another and the same short dialogue takes place.   Another.  And, then another.  He passes another, but this time, something different happens..  This person responds differently…

“Caesar is Lord…”

“No.  Jesus is Lord.”

Radical.  

And so, they were killed.  They were killed with this confession on their lips.  They were killed, because they confessed Jesus, not Caesar, as Lord.  This confession, in its original context, is as much political as it is religious.

Oh, how the times have changed…

…or maybe not.

——————————-

I got a message on Facebook the other day asking me to join a group that was dedicated to praying specifically for John McCain’s running mate.  One line really caught my eye.  It said, “I’m sure you believe with me that Sarah Palin, like Esther in the Bible, has been brought onto our political scene for such a time as this.“ 

Umm.. No.

See, although 2000 years have passed, most Americans still share the same confession as ancient citizens of the Roman Empire.  The only difference is that we replace Caesar with our preferred candidate, and testify that his or her agenda is the solution to our society’s problems.  Most American Christians seem to have put their hope in the Republican Party to fix our world, and forgotten their subversive heritage.  

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.                                                                                              -John 19:15

My hope isn’t in Washington.  It’s in the sky.  My hope isn’t in democracy.  It’s in the kingdom of God.  And, the kingdom of God is more than just heaven.  It is the ideal society that Jesus is constructing full of people who live by love and peace; a society that is living the way God originally intended.  This kingdom is now gradually spreading as one person after another prioritizes Jesus’ way above all.  This has slowly been happening for centuries.  But, eventually, a time will come when the real Savior of the world will be instantly revealed in the heavens (sky) and this invisible kingdom will finally be seen by all.  And, when He returns, He’ll make all things right and bring justice to this broken world.  Everything that was lost in God’s original, perfect world will be restored and that condemned Jewish carpenter who was publicly shamed naked on a Roman cross will be obviously seen by all as the true King of the world.  Every eye will see this and every tongue will confess that…

Jesus is Lord.

This is where my hope lies.  The kingdom of my God.  God’s perfect plan for humanity.  A fallen world made right.  

“May your Kingdom come.  May your will be done.  On earth as it is in heaven.”                                          -Matthew 6:10

There’s an idealist alive in me, and he’s always been there, yearning and longing for a perfect world.  Others have mocked him and brushed him aside as youthful ignorance, but he’s finally found his place, an environment where his hopes are legitimate.  There is an idealist inside of me, and he’s found a home in the kingdom of God.

——————————-

This world is obviously not perfect.  There are over 2 million prisoners in America.  There’s over 11 million AIDS orphans in Africa.  Over a half-million women are trafficked annually as sex slaves and more than 900 million people suffer hunger across the world.   Our world need help.  Here’s the Good News: There is a solution and there is an answer to these terrible problems.  There is hope for our world.

But, I’ve got some more news: America is not the solution.  Democracy isn’t either.   Obama and John McCain aren’t the answer.   Neither is my hope in the Christian Left or the Moral Majority.  The GOP aint God’s Own Party and I’m afraid the Democrats miss the mark, too.  Jesus and His Kingdom are the answer. 

Whoever wins this election is irrelevant to me, because the winner is only a paper champion compared to the real President of presidents. 

Caesar isn’t Lord.  Jesus is Lord.

Jesus is President.

stare

I’ve been seeing a lot of beautiful sunrises lately.

Since I ride the morning bus to Omaha for work, I get the pleasure of watching the dawn sky over the Great Plains on a daily basis. Sometimes, I’ll catch myself just staring out the window, lost in the moment, gazing into the glory of God’s beautiful sky.  Morning after morning, as the bus rolls down I-80, I’m amazed by the unique beauty of each new sunrise. 

But tonight, in a maximum security prison’s chapel, I witnessed something even more beautiful than all those Nebraska sunrises combined. 

We had a “foot washing” service at LCC.

Fourteen of us circled together in that small prison chapel and read the thirteenth chapter of John’s gospel.  John 13 describes how Jesus set an example for His disciples by humbly washing their feet on the night He was betrayed and arrested.  After meditating on that passage, we modeled Christ’s incredible example by washing each other’s feet.  On hands and knees, each man took the basin and scrubbed the feet of the man to his right.  We went one at a time, and prayed for the person whom we were serving.  It took about 30 minutes to make it through the circle.  It was such a sacred moment, like God was right in the room.  Most of the guys closed their eyes and bowed their heads as each man went, but I just watched.  I couldn’t help but look at each man as he crouched to the ground and used the towel to slowly wash and dry the feet of another.  I couldn’t help but stare.

Old hands washing young feet.  Young hands washing old feet.

White hands washing black feet.  Black hands washing white feet.

Inmates serving volunteers.  Volunteers serving prisoners.  

Felons serving felons.

It was a beautiful sight.

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.                                                                    -Jesus

I truly believe that Jesus has created a new humanity that is not defined by human barriers like race or sex, but by the kingdom of God.  In this kingdom, natural barriers like ethnicity and nationality are transcended as people are born again as new creations, as new people.  As new people who serve one another and live in harmony despite differences.  As new people who aren’t defining themselves based on their background or social status, but by their position as children in God’s family. 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.            -Galatians 3:28

I watched society’s outcasts serving one another in a love that transcended human barriers tonight.  I saw true unity tonight.

And, it wasn’t because of Barrack Obama or John McCain and democracy.  It was because of Jesus and His kingdom.

And it was seriously beautiful.

Rarely are we lucky enough to see something so glorious, so bright, so powerful… but when we do, we can’t help but stare.

the 15K

Yesterday I ran in the Lincoln Governor’s Cup to raise money for the 1000 Wells Project of the Blood:Water Mission.  The project is dedicated to building 1000 clean water wells in African communities hit hard by the AIDS epidemic.  Jars of Clay created the organization a few years back, and I believe in what they’re doing.

Since I only began seriously training for the event a week and a half in advance, it was fairly difficult, but I’m proud to say that I finished it and I didn’t walk a single step.  With the help of my ipod Shuffle, I jogged the whole thing with hip tunes in my ear and  my time was 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 44 seconds.  Just under 10 minutes a mile for number 92.  I’ll take that. 

Here are some of the more memorable moments from yesterday’s trek through the Star City.

Highlight of the race: As we passed by a nursing home on the third mile, the old folks were out on the street handing us cups of water.  I nearly ripped an elderly man’s hand off in my effort to quench my cotton mouth.  

Biggest surprise of the race: Definitely the ridiculous nipple chaffing that I did not anticipate.  During the race, I rarely thought about how tired my legs were, because my nipples hurt so bad!  It was unreal.  If you look at my shirt in the picture above, you can see that they actually bled through my shirt and onto my number sheet.  Absolutely terrible.  I’m taping them up next time.

Biggest cliche workout song of the race: Down With the Sickness by Disturbed is always a classic, but pretty insane when you actually listen to the lyrics.  Weirded me out at about Mile 5.

Best sermon of the race: (The only sermon of the race) I started the race out with a forty minute speech by Brian Zahnd called “In Times Like These.”  He emphasized Matthew 6:33 (seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you…) in its original context, which was Jesus’ discussion of financial security and possessions during the sermon on the mount.  Ironically, BZ prepared the message three months ago and planned it back then for last week, right in the middle of all the drama on Wall Street.  Very cool.  The best line was: “Money is not the meaning of life.  Money is not the measure of success.  Money is not the source of security.  If you can really believe this, then you are a rebel.”

Worst moment of the race: The nipple bleeding again, hands down.

Best idea of the day: While I’m running, my mind is always bouncing new ideas around, because it distracts me from the difficulty of running.  So, the “idea of the day” was to do a running event for charity at LCC sometime, possibly an annual event.  It would be something that the inmates could train for and take pride in, and also something to involve the community by promoting it.  People could sponsor a prisoner to run and raise money for something good.  

Life metaphor of the day: Long distance running (in my opinion) is such a great parallel for the Christian journey, on so many levels.  The training, the focus, the discipline, the pain, the adversity, the steadiness, the consistency, etc.  It takes much more self-discipline to steadily jog a 15K than it does to run quick wind sprint.  I’ve seen many people come to church and dramatically sprint a 40 yard dash and then they’re gone.  But, the ones that last, the ones that truly grow and change, are the ones that take up their cross daily, consistently, and quietly, and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Rom.12:1)

When we would condition for football, I used to tell my teammates, “When I graduate, I will never run again!”  And, I meant every word.  I hated running with a passion and had no intention of every doing it again on my own.  So, when I started losing weight in June, I would walk or play basketball, but I still refused to run.  My mind was made up.  But, as I begin to lose more weight, I needed something to work my heart rate better, so I started jogging just a little bit.  And, gradually that got easier and increased to a mile, and so on.  As I grew, my mind changed and my thinking was renewed.  In life, I think we look at the “way of Jesus” and think, “There’s no way I could be like that” or “I could never do that”.  But, as we grow in faith, our minds are renewed and His seemingly impossible way to live becomes a reality in us.  Just because it seems hard and overwhelming, don’t avoid the race of God altogether.  Take small steps.  Make little decisions to deny yourself and slowly you’ll become who God intended you to be.

There you have it, my friends.  With bloody nipples and sore legs, I ran my first long distance race- the Governor’s Cup.  Next up, the Lincoln Half-Marathon in May…

Grace and Peace!

Popeye’s ARC

I am training for the Governor’s Cup this weekend in Lincoln.  And, in order to effectively jog 15 kilometers, I’ve been in vital need of a high fiber, high carb, high protein meal to consume each day.  Something healthy.  Something that will help me train.  Something that will give me immediate strength and cause my biceps to instantly triple in size…

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my newest healthy creation:

Popeye’s ARC (Almonds, Raisins, and Chicken)

To instantly grow your biceps, just mix:

1 bag of fresh spinach

2 baked chicken breasts, marinated in Italian dressing

½ cup of almonds

½ cup of raisins

¼ cup of Heinz 57 sauce

You’ll absolutely love it.  (that is, if you like almonds, raisins, chicken, spinach, and heinz 57 combined…)

I’m strong to the finish when I eats me spinach!

Art Music Justice Tour

Last night, I went with the one-and-only Phil McHenry to see this tour.  Mostly because I wanted to finally see Derek Webb live, but overall, the show was really cool.  I enjoyed listening to most of the singers and Derek Webb was very excellent.  Especially when he played “A Savior on Capitol Hill”- it being election time and all.

The concert was extremely unique, however, as an intentional emphasis was placed on social activism and God’s compassion towards the poor and oppressed.  The most eye-opening consideration of the night was the information about modern day slavery throughout the world.  Honestly, it blows me away to think that real physical slavery still exists today somewhere.  I think in America we have such a unique affluent lifestyle that we naturally assume the condition of our neighbors overseas must be similar to our standard of living.  It’s like this everywhere, right?

In one of my psychology classes, we learned about a concept called “object permanence.”  Infants who lack object permanence can see an object in front of them, but if the object is suddenly removed from their sight, they simply believe that the object no longer exists.  I think in our comfortable western world today, we don’t regularly witness the reality of poverty and oppression that is taking place elsewhere, and so we simply assume that the suffering doesn’t even exist, and so we just ignore it and go on with our lives.  But, no matter how many times we turn the channel to something more fun, the suffering is still happening somewhere.

More and more, God is opening my eyes to His priorities that I simply thought weren’t real.

Here’s an article on modern slavery from Gary Haugen, founder of the International Justice Mission.

fireworks

I preached about “good works” at LCC this morning.  I titled the sermon “Fireworks.”

Rarely do we ever hear sermons on “good works” and I think there are two main reasons for this:

1) We’re lazy and don’t want to do anything.  (simple enough)  And 2) We’re hesitant to emphasize “good works” because we don’t want to create what preachers call “a works righteousness” (i.e. trying to earn one’s salvation by doing good works), and so we just avoid the subject all together, which is completely unbiblical as the New Testament writers constantly mention the subject.  For example, this morning I selected twelve passages from their epistles that challenge the reader to do “good works,” and there were many more to choose from.

So, as we talk about “seeking first the kingdom of God” and working to live as citizens of that kingdom here on earth, it’s essential that we address the importance of “good works.”  Living a radical lifestyle of sacrificial giving and selfless serving.  That’s the culture of the kingdom of God.  I defined “good works” for the guys as “any action, big or small, that improves this world.”  This can be anything from taking someone out for lunch to adopting an orphan.  It can be visiting a hospital or washing a friend’s car.  

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.                                                                                                     -Jesus 

If we could pull a “Bill and Ted” and journey on an excellent adventure, it would greatly benefit us to time-travel back 2000 years and witness the world in which Jesus first spoke these words.  Because, today, we hear these words of His and immediately are reminded of some preexisting image or religious connotation about “shining your light”, and then we lose the drama and force behind His original statement.  Listen… Jesus was telling a group of uneducated nobodies that they were the “light of the world.”  Not Caesar, not Rome, not the Jewish Pharisees- They were.

And you know something?  He was right.  They went on to lead a global movement that literally changed the world forever.  They didn’t just quote bible verses or hide away in their church foyer.  They actively engaged the world around them, and then took action to improve their world.  Just think about our society today, and how it’s a direct result of their “good works” and their lights shining in the world.  Their movement lead to the promotion of education, fight for human rights, abolistionist movement to end slavery globally, scientfic research, spread of literacy, numerous hospitals, prison reform, humanization of the poor, assistance to the homeless, restoration of the dignity of the elderly, construction of many orphanages, labor reform, artistic development in terms of architecture, music, literature, and visual arts….and so on.

——————————-

So, that’s our heritage and that’s our calling.  To shine in the world by doing good works.  

But, it seems to me that most American evangelical churches have strayed from that calling to improve the world and opted to simply improve their own particular church.  I’m generalizing, but there’s still truth in this.  Nowadays, if a church member feels inwardly compelled to express his faith by giving himself to something bigger, he’s usually just encouraged to donate his time or money to the business of the church and not to serving and blessing the world around him.  And, in doing so, most ministries have neglected the serious problems that our world faces and have actually contained the “light of the world” in their own private world.  Jesus said a light shouldn’t be “put under a basket,” but unfortunately, it is happening all the time in modern Christianity.  

I recently read about a Christian woman who litigated the cleanup of the extremely polluted Boston Harbor, which was one of the major environmental breakthroughs of the 21st century.  However, the only time she was ever publicly recognized by her evangelical church was the year that she taught second-grade Sunday School!  This example is only one of many that indicate how close-minded and internally obsessed our churches are today.  It’s as if they’ve bought into the cultural mandate to “keep up with the Joneses” and instead of working together to bring God’s will to this planet, they simply compete with the other church down the street to have the biggest ministry.  And this also explains why they wouldn’t give a crap about a member who is actually laboring to make a real difference in the world, unless of course, that member was officially representing the church and would add to their image in the public eye.  It seems almost that most churches aren’t really interested in promoting goodness, mercy, and justice in the world as much as they are in promoting their own name.  

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.    

God’s will is for our light to shine in the dark places.  Not to arrogantly retreat from society and all gather together behind closed doors for a secret pep rally on Sundays; not to spend seven days a week at our private church away from the venue in which our light is intended to really shine; but instead, to humbly lay down our lives on a daily basis to bless others and improve our world.  To get our hands dirty by touching lepers and washing  feet.  And when we choose to live this way, instead of just being a loyal member of our denomination furthering its agenda, we become dedicated members or citizens of the kingdom of God furthering His will.

——————————-

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.                                          -Paul the Apostle

Fireworks react.  They react to something explosive that has happened internally.  And then, the outward result of that reaction is seen- a beautiful light.  

As disciples of Jesus, we are the “light of the world.”  We are called to truly improve the world around us with our actions.  With our good works- big or small.  By constantly doing good.  But, we don’t do this because we’re just such great people or because we’re “supposed to.”  We actively do good works, because something explosive has happened inside of us.

The Spirit of God has gloriously indwelled our lives and Christ is being formed in us.  This causes an external reaction that the world should see.  This moves us to act.  This compels us to shine.  

Good works.  

Fireworks.   

May our light be set on a lampstand to shine publicly.  May we radically love and serve the world that God so loved.  May our unselfish actions be seen by men and cause them to glorify God.  May the Spirit’s power inside of us explode into a lifestyle of good works.  May we change our world for the better.

Amen.

just a few opportunities to shine…

 

Mean Joe Greene and The Steel Curtain Salsa

Today was Chips & Dip Day at work.  I created my own salsa, a tasteful blend of corn, black beans, and sour cream, and most of all- a personal tribute to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ferocious defense of the 1970′s.  (I couldn’t think of anything else better to dedicate it to that was also predominately black and yellow…)

It was a fairly healthy dip and also easy to make, so I highly recommend it.

To make it, simply mix:

1 can of Black Beans with the juice drained

1 can of Corn with the juice drained

2 tablespoons of Sour Cream

2 tablespoons of Pace Chunky Salsa

2 teaspoons of Lemon Juice

1 teaspoon of Black Pepper

“Wow…  Thanks, Mean Joe!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8

to iowa and back…

Omaha and Council Bluffs just finished completing this new pedestrian bridge that crosses the Missouri River, connecting Nebraska and Iowa.  Gallup is right on the river, so, during my lunch break yesterday, I decided to pull a Forrest Gump and jog across state lines.  It was an awesome view from the top of the bridge, between the Omaha skyline and the windy current of the Missouri.  Unfortunately, I was too busy getting my jog “on” to really enjoy it.  However, if my schedule and the weather allow it, I plan on rollerblading to Iowa on Friday.

Shoeless Joe: “Hey, is this heaven?”    Ray: “No, it’s Iowa.”

                                                                                 -Field of Dreams

“come to Me”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel like I’ve been set free sometime in the past 5 months.  I really do.  ”Set free from what?” you ask.  Let me explain.

Ever since 2001, when I began taking my relationship with God seriously, I’ve tried pretty damn hard to please Him.  Seriously..  I’ve spent countless hours faithfully sitting in a church pew or praying in my room until I’m out of words or reading the Bible without fully understanding it.  And although it has been a great seven years, I have a confession: IT’S BEEN STRESSFUL! 

I think that as I first realized that God was serious about loving me and, at the same time, recognized that the majority of professing Christians weren’t serious about loving Him back, I think I subconsciously began to believe that I had to work extra hard, in order to separate myself from the hypocrites and earn His approval.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I knew He loved me and that He died for me, but I often doubted that He was truly pleased with me and that He actually liked me.  So… I worked for it… 

I avoided worldly “things” and learned how to preach inspiring sermons.  I saved my virginity for marriage and managed to quit cussing.  I consistently read Christian books and attended Christian concerts.  Mentally, I gauged the success of my relationship with God by how often I sinned and how much I did good things.  Worst of all, in doing these things, I presented a “front” towards others that said, “I really love God.  I’ve got it all together.”  Too insecure to be transparent, I strived to create a “super” religious version of myself that wasn’t authentic, nor easy to maintain.  Although others still viewed me as approachable (I think), they definitely didn’t see me as relatable, because I appeared to accomplish godliness and goodness with such ease.  Little did they know…  

This “front” required a constant amount of effort and strain to uphold, and oftentimes, it wore me out. I was too proud to be a hypocrite so I worked overtime to be something on the outside that I just wasn’t on the inside.  I lived a desperate existence.  Never could I rest my mind or take a second to just be myself, because “following Jesus was supposed to be hard work.”  The worst times were when I was extremely depressed or confused, but was still scheduled to speak at an FCA group or a church somewhere that day.  I would want to just call and cancel, but I had to keep my word.  So, I’d just sow together some more fig leaves and dress up for my performance.  The show must go on…

Exhausted.

I think deep down I wasn’t ready to fully accept grace.  I knew all about it; I’d talked all about; read all about it, but in my mind, I had created a new “Law” that I was trying to fulfill, instead of trusting in the unmerited favor of God.  In Romans 7, Paul describes the despair of a rollercoaster life and finally cries “Oh what wretched man I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?” 

Good question…

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  -Jesus

I read that tonight at LCC.  It made my heart race…

—————————–

Back in May, my up-and-down relationship with God reached its climax.  It was one of those “fork in the road” times when my life was at a crossroad.  The Jets had just released me, basically as soon as I had stepped off the plane in NY, and so here I was: married, unemployed, and scared.  I had an opportunity to “try-out” in New Orleans over the weekend.   I really didn’t know what I should do and it kinda felt like God might want me to go, but I didn’t see a burning bush or anything, so…  I just acted.  I called my agent and declined the offer.  I really don’t know what happened; it was a weird time.  Immediately, I went into about a month-long crucible of self-interrogation and self-doubt, a “dark night of the soul.”   I felt like God was pissed at me and my destiny was destroyed, due to my supposed disobedience.  For the first time in my life, I was sleepless.  I was scared to death throughout May.  The worst month of my life. 

Miserable…

Somehow, in the middle of all that drama and confusion, Jesus found me.  I can’t really explain it any other way.  Peace and acceptance suddenly flooded my mind and stayed there.  Almost like God was assuring my soul that it was okay; that I was okay.  That I hadn’t singlehandedly ruined his plan for my life.  That He wasn’t the one inflicting the despair and depression on my mind.  And that, I was seriously okay.  And, slowly, ever since then, I’ve been noticing that his “yoke” really is “easy to bear.”  And that I don’t have to be perfect or know everything, because He says, “Let me teach you.”  Nor should I be afraid of His anger, because He describes Himself as “humble and gentle at heart.”  And, now I can finally sleep well at night, because He says “I will give you rest.”

And, It’s beautiful now.  That sounds so cheesy, but it’s true.  Life is so beautiful now.  I’ve never had more moments of pure joy than I have in the past four months.  I love my life.  For the first time, that’s not a “front” or a religious cliche. It’s the truth.  Because the burden God has given me to carry is truly light.  No longer do I feel like I’m responsible for everyone in the world’s salvation.  No longer do I feel like I’m supposed to hear the voice of God clearly in my head.  No longer do I feel like I have to be perfect.  No longer do I care how I appear to others.  I’m free…

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. –Romans 8:1-2

If you’re not perfect, just relax for a second.  Take a breath.  Know that Jesus is fully aware of the depths of your sin and ignorance.  And, He’s not mad.  For real.

He wants to teach you how to live.  He wants to change you into a new person.  A person of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  You don’t have to drive yourself crazy trying to act like those things; instead, trust that He will make you like that on the inside.  Take my word for it.  I’ve become more like Christ over this summer than I did in the last seven years.  Now, I no longer have to perform or put on a “front.”  I don’t have to act a certain way or wear a religious mask to please God.  I’m just myself.  And gradually, I’m seeing His character show up in me more and more.  

If you’re wore out and fatigued, beat down and tired, or drained and exhausted, come to Jesus.  

Trust me- He offers something better…