God’s teaching me a lot right now about truth and grace. Two things that we just don't put together sometimes. However, I’m learning, you must keep the two intact.
A lot of times in situations, we only give one or the other. We don’t know for the most part how to balance the two and show both, but it’s necessary.
Too much grace can sometimes resolve in covering up an issue, but on the other hand, too much truth without grace along side of it, can be too damaging at times.
Grace changes things. You know how I know that? Because grace is best explained when we look at the cross of Jesus. THAT changed EVERYTHING and is a perfect picture of God’s grace on our lives. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. For you, for me, and for the whole world. The beautiful thing about the cross of Jesus though, truth was fully present in those moments too.
I feel like I’m just word vomiting on this blog, but I think sometimes that’s good. Just raw, unedited, pure heart. I haven’t grasped grace and truth fully, but I’m in the process, and as I do that, I’m reminded that transparency is best.
I’ve had my share of struggles since being off the World Race. I thought I’d come home, everything would be “fixed”, and life would be grand… Don’t get me wrong, life is grand, but everything isn’t “fixed.” The more I think about that, the more I see that might be one of the biggest struggles in the American church.
Too many people walking around not being honest about their struggles and where they’re at. “We’ve become happy plastic people, under shinny plastic steeples”, and you know what, that doesn’t help anybody.
We look around and wonder why people are falling all to hell, but the answer is right in front of us. We can’t live up to the standard that as Christians, we think we should live up to. Jesus didn’t call us to be or act perfect, but rather to fall in love with Him more each day, and allow the truth of His message to change us. That’s why we don’t change and then go to church. Sad part is, if we don't become transparent, we may never change…
Praise God though, each day when we pursue after and love Jesus, we are becoming more conformed to His image! Hallelujah!
So in this season, I’ve been really tough on myself at times. Because I “still don’t have it all together.” You know what though, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by other people who are messes too and have shown me grace, truth and love, and as a result, I’ve forgiven and given grace to myself.
My question is, are you doing that, or are you still holding grudges because somebody did you wrong? You’ve not reached out to “so and so” because he or she fell into sin and now you’ve pushed them out of the church? Somebody wronged you and now you’ve wrote him or her off? Jesus didn’t do that, so drop your crap, forgive, forget and move on.
Let’s start living transparent lives, folks. When we do that, Jesus can do something with us.
It’s ok to be a mess.
Love y’all.
P.S. I still need support for my mission trip I leave for in 3 weeks. I am still in need of about $10,000. If you'd like to support me, please let me know! I can't do it without you.
