How many times do we say these two words in a week?
Maybe we replace “God” with Mom…or Dad…or your boss…or maybe your child?
Say your parents ask you to go clean your room or tell you to stop playing video games.
What is your immediate response? “…but Mommmmmm…”
I’ve been there. More times than I’d care to admit…even with God.
You know, those times when you prayed really hard about something…
Maybe when you thought you found “the one,” and you prayed so hard that God would make it happen… then it didn’t.
Or maybe when you really thought you needed that job, so you asked God that they would choose you… then they didn’t.
Alright…
Keep all of that in mind.
During Training Camp we attended many sessions that prepared our hearts to go out to serve the nations. It was challenging, but so so good.
One of the things God brought to my attention was how I’ve been working so hard to gain something that Christ has already given me.
That’s ridiculous, right?! It’s one of those things that I knew in my head: nothing I do can earn my salvation. Ephesians 2:8 says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” And isn’t that what makes it so beautiful!?
For me, the struggle of striving for perfection and not letting people down is very real. The devil can so easily trip you up when you make a mistake so small and make it seem more like a life or death situation. The devil can take one minor miscommunication with a friend and make you feel like they think you are a terrible person.
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Ephesians 2:1-3
*cue perspective change on “…but God…”*
“BUT GOD IS SO RICH IN MERCY, AND HE LOVED US SO MUCH, THAT EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DEAD BECAUSE OF OUR SINS, HE GAVE US LIFE WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD. (IT IS ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED!)” Ephesians 2:4-5
How cool is that?!
Just change your inflection a little bit when you say “…but God…” and you will be praising Him instead of questioning His plan!
Didn’t get the guy/girl you thought was “the one”? BUT GOD HAS SOMEONE BETTER JUST FOR YOU.
Didn’t get the job you were dreaming of? BUT GOD HAS THE PERFECT POSITION WAITING JUST FOR YOU.
Being in a relationship with Christ does not mean you won’t sin ever again or Satan is going to quit attacking.
The freedom that comes with being in a relationship with Christ is knowing that he already defeated death, and we don’t have to try to be perfect. We don’t have to meet a certain standard to be in communion with Christ.
So, just remember when something doesn’t go “your way” or you messed up or you went off path for a bit…
…but God.
