1 " Because of this it is possible to change. The
power of the great infection has been overcome. The stronghold of the addiction
has been broken. We do not have to be what we have become in the grips of
sin. The deeply-rooted patterns of sin can be uprooted. We can
change…..This is not perfectionism. This is hope. We can change. Sometimes it
feels like an uphill battle. But the good news is it is no longer our battle. We are changed by the power of his victory. Our part? Yield
to His victory."
So this last summer was super
awesome and freeing as I came to terms with the fact that I have…potholes.
There was so so so much freedom and grace in meeting those identity issues/insecurities/struggles
etc. face to face and embracing them.
BUT since summer has ended I’ve been faced with a question. Now what? I
know I have potholes and I know God is taking care of them and that I can live
in the beautiful grace of Jesus in my brokenness…but does that
mean I stay the way I am-broken?
This
part of the chapter massively encouraged me in that change is possible! I have
potholes, but I get to partner with Christ in filling those in. He didn’t die
so that I can live in/operate simply aware of my brokenness. Where is the good
news in that? I get both! He gives me the opportunity to intimately understand
those potholes and deficits in my life and then he offers me the chance of a
lifetime- working with him to restore His image in me! And this isn’t (as DJ
notes) striving for perfection. It is an incredible hope that I don’t have to
be what I’ve become in the grips of sin and that Christ wants to change me, is
going to change me, and is going to let me be a part of the process even though
what I have to contribute is miniscule compared to what he is doing. Jesus
takes me with him in the uphill battle and lets me take shots at the enemy, and
even when I miss he always defeats them.
Note to fellow bloggers: If you don't agree with this/ have a different perspective/ have words of wisdom about how to live in this tension I really want to hear your take so please comment/discuss.
I love those words "restore His image in me". Such hope! Thanks Katie!
ReplyDeleteKatie- thanks for the post. Your post reminds me that everything that needs to be done (to fill my potholes) has been done to Jesus, by Jesus, through Jesus. He fills my potholes with abundant grace and mercy! "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness". True - awareness of my potholes is a gigantic step- but the second I try to fill them myself or push Jesus to fill them I discover another pothole of idolatry.....me and my idealized spiritual self!!! Parker Palmer says, " we will become better not by trying to fill in our potholes but by becoming so aware of them we can avoid falling into them". Awareness puts us on the edge of a pothole staring into the deep abyss. Change happens when we recognize that the Potholebeen filled with grace and mercy - the lambs blood! That awareness gives is hope to hide no more in that pothole and stand, walk safe and secure in the presence of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIf you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING! Liked what reid said and Parker Palmers awareness. Filled with the Lambs blood- GRACE AND MERCY!
DeleteThanks Katie and Reid for your thoughts!
Thanks for your insight Reid. I really like thinking about the potholes being filled with grace and mercy instead of ugliness. But I have another question: Do we get to participate with Jesus in filling them? It just seems like walking with Christ is more proactive than simply trying to avoid the potholes and side step deficits....maybe I just can't even recognize my own pride. It seems like there's got to be some balance between moralism and mysticism.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly related, as I was doing quiet time this morning I felt like God put a couple more things on my heart. I know (especially at Sonshine) we talk about "participating in Christs sufferings" and "dying to ourself" but what about living? Obviously we are sinful by nature but when we are born again with Christ that is no longer our identity. When it comes to service why don't we talk about it as an opportunity to "live with Christ" and "rejoicing in his delights."? Its such an awesome opportunity to live in the true reality and to be how God created us to be. I mean Christ died but he also rose. Do we not rise with him? Live resurrected? Ofcourse there are lots of times where it is super hard and challenging and we need to die to ourself in order to love as Jesus and to live Christ. It just seems like often times serving especially in hard ways can be really awesome and can give hope that were not destined to be the completely selfish beings that this world corrupted us into being.
Once again I know this maybe 100% prideful and too works based but they're just questions/thoughts I have so really I'd love to hear what you all think even if it's to lamb slap me.
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ReplyDeleteMaybe like you said with this quote Reid/Parker "we will become better not by trying to fill in our potholes but by becoming so aware of them we can avoid falling into them" maybe its participating in filling them by having grace and mercy for yourself/ accepting the grace and mercy...????
DeleteKatie, this may be overly simplified but my thought is that we focus so much on dying to oursves as servants because we ARE supposed to experience life! Crucifixion. Is the beginning of life, not the end! In order to be raised with Jesus, we die to oursves. So it's not one or the other, we experience suffering and death and in the same turn in the coin we experience life and life abundant! So I think the focus is on dying because its the beginning but you're right, if we don't acknowdge that we are then raised with Jesus we are missing the point! We are new creations and resurrection life is NOW! I think in serving there is such an emphasis on dying to ourselves because when we lower ourselves that's how others most powerfully and accurately see Christ. But when we die and they see Christ, then what happens, LIFE LIFE LIFE! For us and them! Anyway I feel like I'm rambling, I hope that makes some sense. For me in serving at Sonshine I have never experienced such an intimate pairing of death and life, they are not mutually exclusive. Joy and pain, death and life, suffering and hope.
DeleteThanks Em I really appreciate what you said! It totally makes sense and i completely agree that when we die we experience life. I guess sometimes dying just doesn't always have to feel like dying.
ReplyDelete