Embrace Our Imperfections

 By: Joanne Viola

 

The internet has surely changed all of our lives. This is true in both positive and negative ways. We have more information and entertainment at our finger tips than ever before.

We are able to leave our thoughts, opinions, and reviews in various places for anyone to read.

But is this necessarily a good thing? I am not so sure.

I have begun to wonder if social media has skewed the way we think more than we realize. Has it become the way we judge ourselves, meaning how well or poorly we are doing at life?

Are we judging our families, our children, our careers, our homes, and our relationships through the lens of the perfection viewed? Are we losing our ability to be content, and to allow space for imperfection in our lives?

It was this verse which prompted these thoughts and questions recently:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV)

“It keeps no record of wrongs.”

And that includes the wrongs we each have done in our lives.

Each of us have made our fair share of mistakes – in our relationships, in our jobs, in personal choices, and in our parenting. None of us will get every aspect of our lives done perfectly all the time.

The internet and social media is not to become a report card of how well we are doing in life.

May we grow in patience with ourselves as well as others. May we give ourselves some grace and mercy when we feel like we have fallen short. The Lord offers His grace and mercy to us constantly, covering our wrongs as we come before Him.

It is often through our mistakes and imperfections that we grow. We learn where to make adjustments. We begin to navigate our way relying on God to lead us. May we come to embrace that we are imperfectly perfect.

Let’s hold onto our ability to appreciate imperfection,
to learn and grow through our imperfections,
and thus, discover joy in the midst of our imperfections.

 

 

Reflection: 
Do you find yourself judging yourself through the lens of social media? What guidelines can you set in place so that you offer yourself grace and mercy in the midst of imperfection?

 

Image by Marie from Pixabay

 

We Are Chosen

 By: Lauren Thomas

Early in Jesus’ ministry He said something controversial while teaching at a local synagogue. Though it was controversial for His audience, it signals extremely good news for us today. But it would be easy to miss this, if you only give the passage a casual reading.

 

In fact, if you glance over Luke chapter 4, you’ll probably be drawn to the part where Jesus reads from Isaiah. The passage he chose to read is a powerful and comforting prophecy, made more amazing by his own commentary: “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). But as Jesus continues speaking, he explains that a prophet is not welcome in his hometown. Notice, he was speaking in the synagogue in his hometown. This is where his message takes a turn.

 

25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

Luke 4:25-27 ESV

 

The controversy of Jesus’s message was that God would minister to others due to the failure of His own people to recognize Him. The events that Jesus referenced took place in Israel’s history and are documented in 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 5. In both instances God ministered through his prophets to foreigners. Rather than choosing an Israelite widow or an Israelite leper – women and men of his “chosen people” – God chose people who were not chosen.

 

The fact that Luke recorded Jesus’ controversial message makes sense contextually. After all, Luke wrote to “Theophilus.” While there is debate over the exact identity of Theophilus, the name is derived from Greek. We understand that Luke wrote to the Gentiles – people who were not Jews – rather than to God’s chosen people: the Jews.

 

We might miss these things if we are casually reading the Bible. But when we grasp the dimensions of what Jesus was saying by digging into the context, we see that what was perceived as controversy to the Jews signals acceptance for us. This is one element of the “good news” of the Gospel: that we are chosen too.

 

In Romans, Paul quotes Hosea as he describes this concept:

 

25 As indeed he says in Hosea,

 

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’

and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’

there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

Romans 9:25-26 ESV

 

This is the good news of the Gospel for us Gentiles: we are now chosen!

 

Reflection:

Read Luke 4:16-30. How does it feel when someone you love “chooses” you? Spend some time reflecting on that fact that you are chosen by God. What does it feel like to be chosen by God?

Forgive and Forget

By: Grace Metzger

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,
 forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:13

If you had asked me a week ago if forgiveness was strong suit of mine, I would’ve answered absolutely. With no doubt in my mind. I was so convinced that I was generous in forgiving others. I knew how to forgive others and how to let go of hatred and anger in my heart.

However, what I discovered recently is that I have so much more to learn about how to forgive others than I could’ve ever believed.

For if you forgive others their trespasses,

your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

Growing up, I heard the phrase, “forgive but don’t forget.” I heard this from people, on TV, even heard fellow Christians talking about forgiving others but remembering the wrongs they’ve done. I spent most of my life believing that I was to forgive but always remember. I told myself that I could forgive you, but I would never let go of what you’ve done.

But now, it’s got me thinking -is that even forgiveness? What is forgiveness if you’re holding someone's sins above their head, reminding yourself constantly of how they’ve wronged you? I don’t believe remembering and holding onto someone’s wrongs and never letting go is right. Some might call me foolish saying that I’m allowing people to walk over me and mistreat me, but you can still set a boundary not allowing someone to walk over you while still forgiving and letting go of their wrongs. 

And Jesus said, "Father forgive them,
for they know not what they do."

Luke 23:34

When I was thinking about forgiveness, my first thought came to how Jesus would approach forgiving the soldiers who hung him on the cross. If they asked God for forgiveness, would He constantly remind them of what they’ve done to Him? Would He hold it above their head how they hurt Him and murdered Him? I don’t think He would. I can’t say I know exactly what God would do, but I can say that I believe the second the soldiers ask God to forgive them for what they’ve done he would instantly let go. I believe His would welcome them into His family with open arms, because His love for them was so great that He can forgive even the worst pain that others have caused Him. 

If Jesus can forgive the people who whipped, beat, and murdered Him, then why can I not forgive others who have wronged me? If I’m truly to try to be like Jesus, then I should strive to forgive, forget, and let go of the past. I’m not saying you should allow people to consistently hurt you. I’m not saying that there should never be any boundaries for people, but I am saying forgive and let go of hurt and welcoming others with open arms. It’s going to do me so much more good than holding on to anger and hatred and unforgiveness.

The peace that comes with forgiving is not a small thing that we can overlook, but rather a great thing that can transform your life. That can help you go from being angry and hateful to showing love that God has shown you and to offering true forgiveness. God forgives you and I every single day. It is up to us to show others the same forgiveness. 

Discussion:
1.) Do you struggle more with forgiving others or letting the hurt go once you forgive them?
2.) How do you overcome the struggle of forgiving and forgetting hurts from those who wrong you?

5 Ways to Make Time for Rest

By: Jenifer Metzger

Let us, then, make every effort to

enter that rest, so that no one will fall

into the same pattern of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:11 CSB

We live in a time where life is constantly on the go. It doesn't matter what season of life we are in, we are busy. Sometimes I look at my life now as a mostly empty nester and wonder how I accomplished all I have to do with four small kids.

With meals to cook, laundry to wash and dry and put away, dishes to do, floors to sweep, lawns to mow, kids to care for, school activities, sports practices and games, church attendance, church ministries, work, deadlines to meet, phone calls to make, and more, our day to day responsibilities have our head spinning. No wonder we live in a world full of exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious people!

We prioritize so much of our life, except rest.

Rest is important -it's important to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. God didn't intend for us to constantly be on the go, He knew rest was vital to us. It even tells us in Genesis 2:2 that after "God had completed His work that He had done," He rested. God didn't rest because He was tired and wore out. He rested to show us the importance of rest.

Here are five ways to make time for rest.

Set aside at least one evening a week for rest. This is something my husband and I have always tried to do, even when our kids were younger and we were in the thick of sports. Set aside one evening a week, more if you can, where there are no activities pulling at you. No sporting events, no dinners to attend to, no work, nothing. Once your daily activities -work, school, household duties, etc- are done, turn the TV off, put the phones away, and relax. Whether it is sitting on the deck and chatting -this is mine and my husband's favorite thing, going for a walk, reading a book, playing a family board game, working on a hobby, or just sitting on the couch talking as a family, just rest. This is also a great night to make sure you get to bed on time, early even.

Give yourself fifteen minutes a day for rest. Each day take just a little time to breathe. Slow your heart and mind from all that is going on and rest. For you, it may be that you get up fifteen minutes early to enjoy your coffee on the porch in silence before the busy day starts. Or maybe for you it is better to take some time in the evening to unwind after the busy day. Maybe when your husband gets home from work you give him fifteen minutes to catch his breathe before you bombard him with questions or conversation and after he gives you fifteen minutes. This short time to breathe can make a world of difference.

Find something you enjoy to do and do it. We work so hard at what has to be done, but what about the things we enjoy and want to do? Maybe you used to paint or sew. Maybe you loved reading. Maybe running is your thing. What is that thing you really enjoy doing? That thing that relaxes you and brings a smile to your face. You probably won't have time to do it every day, maybe not even every single week, but pick up that hobby again.

Be okay with saying no. Saying no is hard. We want to say yes to all those things our kids enjoy and want to try their hand at. We want to say yes to the dinner invites. We want to do all the seasonal activities. We want to do all the things! But it's okay to say no. It's okay to limit your kids' activities. It's okay to miss the neighborhood block party. It's okay to tell a friend you need reschedule coffee. It's okay to say no when you need margin.

Abide in Christ. The most important way to find rest is to abide in Christ. To be intentional with reading the Bible. With continually praying. With sitting still in His presence. With worshiping Him. Never let busyness get in the way of time with God. Give your burdens and pain to God and let His rest wash over you. The Bible tells us to give it all to Him and we will find rest.

Come to Me, all of you who are weary

and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from

Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. For

My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 CSB

Sister, give yourself permission to rest. In fact, be intentional with carving out time to rest. You need it and your family needs it for you.

Discussion:
1. Is resting hard for you? If so, why do you think that is?
2. What is one way you rest and relax?

Don't "Clean Up" Before You Come to Christ

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Aaron Burden

"The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved usand sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." 

~1 John 4:8-10

C. S. Lewis once said,  “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”

The tendency for many of us (especially if we have been caught in legalism at one time or another!) is to believe that we have to be good in order for God to love us.


If that’s the case, then we’re all dreadfully stuck because I know I still do things every day that aren’t “good” - I holler at my kids or waste valuable time or am short with my husband or am impatient and unloving towards someone.


No, we don’t seek to be good in order to get the Lord to love us. We know He loves us, and that inspires change in our hearts.


That is why legalism is never enough. Legalism has you follow a set of rules (many of them man-made rather than God-issued) because you “have” to.


Christianity, on the other hand, says you come to Christ as you are, with all your sin and brokenness, repent, and accept His lavish grace. When you understand the amazing depth of the glorious grace of God, how much He loves you, and how compassionate, good, kind, and merciful He is, that is what then drives you to want to glorify Him from a heart of gratitude for what He has done and Who He is. That is what leads you to desire to live a life of obedience and goodness.


Hear me when I say, sister, that it’s not about cleaning up your act before you come to Christ.


It’s not about keeping yourself all cleaned up and perfect every moment of the day in order to stay with Christ.


It’s not about following all the rules.


It’s about walking by the Spirit (goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, after all!), abiding in Christ, and communing with the Father in prayer. And as your love for the Lord grows, as your sweet relationship with Him deepens, so then will the obedience in your life increase, as well.


Isn’t God good? He’s far more gracious than we could ever imagine!

Reflection Questions:

1) Have you ever believed the lie that you need to "be good" before Christ will accept you?

2) What truth do you use to combat that lie?