FORSAKE THE BASIC. PURSUE THE DEEP.

Forgive me for prying but I just have to ask: when are you going to get to work?

Resurrection Sunday was a little over a week ago and if you’re anything like me, your day went something like this: you went to church, offered thanks and praises to our Lord and Savior for His finished work on the cross and then you went home, switched out your pastel-colored clothes for something more comfortable and enjoyed a Sunday dinner that was absolutely divine (although it likely broke a few of your diet rules, but we don’t have to talk about that). So then, how many more Resurrection Sundays are you going to let go by before you realize that Christ expects you to pick up where He left off?

There are a lot of things that can keep us from doing whatever it is that we’re supposed to be doing. For me, perfection has been my stumbling block and one of the reasons it has been so difficult for me to be consistent with this blog. If it wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t getting posted – period. The pressure of trying to live up to such high standards was just too much. Now, I choose to live by the motto “Done is better than perfect.” Readers aren’t looking for perfection in a blog post. They’re looking for valuable content and consistency. I’m pretty sure I can handle that.

What about you? What is your stumbling block? Is it self-doubt? Fear? Or is it a feeling of unworthiness? If it’s the latter then let’s not waste any time. We are going to deal with that right now.

Romans 5:1-2 MSG:

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with Him, make us fit for Him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

Aren’t those some powerful words? You have it all together not because you are without flaws but because of what Christ did for you. So let those feelings of unworthiness fade away to into a state of nothingness because that’s what they are – nothing. God’s grace is sufficient for you. It covers mistakes great and small. But He will not cross the threshold of a closed door to offer it to you – you have to open up.

Verse 8:

“We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him.”

God made a weighty investment in our salvation when He stood to receive very little in return for doing so. The only thing He would gain by giving up His most valuable possession – His Son – was restored relationship with us. And that was all He wanted. Truth be told, we have much more to gain from the relationship than He does. He gains relationship however, we gain victory over sin, identity as His children, eternal life and peace that surpasses all understanding, among countless other blessings.

If this is the case, when God asks that we utilize our gifts and talents to advance His Kingdom, is that really too much to ask for? He’s given us so much and asks for so little. And He continuously beats us in the area of giving. He insists on not being outdone, not for bragging rights but because His love won’t allow for anything less. And He doesn’t just meet our material needs but He also heals painful wounds and fills bottomless voids.

So, do you think you can make a small sacrifice for Him now that we’ve recalled the great sacrifice He made for you? What kinds of sacrifices, you ask? Sacrificing your comfort zone. Sacrificing convenience, time and sometimes, sleep. God is asking you to be willing to do your part to bring others to Him. Even when it requires you to do things you wouldn’t typically do. Like talking to a stranger, speaking in front of a crowd, or utilizing the gifts that you’ve let sit on the shelf to collect dust all these years. You were hoping I wouldn’t bring that up, weren’t you? Well, I did. But know that I did so in love.

I’ll be concluding this post with a prayer but first, let’s quickly talk about accountability partners. I have found that I am most effective when I have someone to hold me accountable. And while I didn’t see it this way before, I realize now that you, dear reader, are my accountability partner. You came here looking for something and it is my responsibility to show up for you. And I will. All I ask is that you show up for you and for those around you. Those that need the gifts inside of you. You have robbed us of your greatness long enough. No more. We need what you’re carrying so it’s time you stopped holding out on us. You have something to offer this world that no one else has. If you aren’t sure what that is then just know that all the answers you seek are at the feet of Jesus. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly – not even clarity.

Let’s pray:

God, I want to thank You for the person that is reading this. Thank you for the calling You have placed on their life and for the gifts that You have placed inside of them. God I thank you that even though he/she feels inadequate and incompetent, fearful and unsure, those feelings are subsiding right now. God I thank You that You are building them up and allowing them to see themselves the way You do. God I thank You that You are giving them the confidence to step boldly into their purpose. Father, I thank You for the lives that will be transformed as a result of their obedience. I thank You for the sense of fulfillment and peace that they will feel as a result of their obedience. And God, as they prepare to move forward in faith, I pray that You will give them clarity and direction – that You will order his/her steps. That You would give them the courage to take faith steps, knowing that You have hedged them from behind and before, and laid Your hand upon them. And we thank You in advance because we know that it’s already done. In Jesus’ name. Thank God. Amen.

I can’t wait to see what you become. Get to work.