Thu 20 Sep 2007
Just a reminder… We are human! This truth is simple enough and more than obvious, but still illusive for me on days when I compare myself to all I want to be. If I am not careful, I can develop a pattern of self-disapproval. After all, at my very best, my righteousness would still be as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).
The good news in realizing my humanity is that I must also realize God made me a human on purpose! He knows all about my limitations and short-comings. Now, I don’t let that become an excuse to be a lazy Christian. After all, the Apostle Paul said in Philipians 3:12
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
So I press too, but I am learning that pressing is not the same thing as “stressing!” God isn’t pleased when I am stressed out or worn out from trying to impress Him. We know the Bible says it’s faith that pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). Part of pressing is, I believe, taking hold of what “those things which are ahead” by faith!
During a message he preached at the beginning of this year called Keys to Prosperous Living, my dad made a a statement that really stuck with me. He said, “The spirit of mammon… doesn’t care if God gets the glory as long as He doesn’t get your time!”
That phrase causes me to evaluate my approach to God and life. I don’t want to get so caught up trying to BE the person I hope to be that I sacrifice my relationship with the person who is my Hope.
Yeah, I’m human and it will take me a while to walk out all the plans God has for me, but hey, God’s got all the time in the world (literally)! And from what I know about Him, He enjoys spending it with me 
I am pressing, not stressing- giving God my time and my heart instead of my accomplishments and self-improvements. And on those days when everything reminds me just how human I am, I unreservedly agree! I am human and that is quite alright with my Heavenly Father! As I stand on His grace, His strength is made perfect in my weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
September 24th, 2007 at
Thank you. I have been struggling with stressing lately but most of all trying to be “perfect” in an imperfect world for approval from the world and not for my God. I have found myself in that pattern of “self-disapproval” and where is my time going? To try to impress myself?, someone else? Thanks for the reminder – God loves me and wants my time!!!!