So in the last few weeks I have begun to realize a few things about being an adult...I know, I know I have been an adult for a while, but I am a bit of a slow learner.
The thing that I have really been mulling over is the idea of being perfect. I know in my own life I have struggled with feeling that I was not good enough because I am not perfect. This plays out at times in my faith.
I have lived often feeling like I had to be the perfect Christian spending time with God everyday, always serving, and setting the perfect example for those around me. While all of these things are very true, and I should strive for those things. The thing that has me thinking is many Christians do struggle with these things, but we often do not talk about it.
As I talk to some of my youth students I have begun to realize that at times the younger generation might not feel like they can closely follow God well, because they cannot attain this "perfection" that they believe they see. As I began to think about it, I have also lived much of my life feeling and thinking the same thing.
I have looked at my own life, and think I couldn't be perfect like those around me. Then I find myself comparing my own life and my own ability to the abilities of those around me. I become discouraged in the fact that I am struggling when so many around me seem to have their lives together.
I think we as the church must challenge ourselves to open and honest, with those around us, about what we struggle with. No this is easier said than done. People are scared that they might be judged or pushed out for their honesty. This is also where the church must show the same grace that that Lord showed us.
In this honest, we are not just sitting in our own mess, but trying to move forward in the things God has for us. When we are honest in our community our community grows in trust. We also see God moving in everyday ways. It is great to hear the stories of God moving in crazy ways, at the same time it is great to see how God is moving in the day to day aspects of our lives. We need to honest in the fact that we have not arrived, and that we struggle daily to follow our Lord. We will never stop struggling in one way or another, but we will become stronger walking in faith with God.
The thing that I have really been mulling over is the idea of being perfect. I know in my own life I have struggled with feeling that I was not good enough because I am not perfect. This plays out at times in my faith.
I have lived often feeling like I had to be the perfect Christian spending time with God everyday, always serving, and setting the perfect example for those around me. While all of these things are very true, and I should strive for those things. The thing that has me thinking is many Christians do struggle with these things, but we often do not talk about it.
As I talk to some of my youth students I have begun to realize that at times the younger generation might not feel like they can closely follow God well, because they cannot attain this "perfection" that they believe they see. As I began to think about it, I have also lived much of my life feeling and thinking the same thing.
I have looked at my own life, and think I couldn't be perfect like those around me. Then I find myself comparing my own life and my own ability to the abilities of those around me. I become discouraged in the fact that I am struggling when so many around me seem to have their lives together.
I think we as the church must challenge ourselves to open and honest, with those around us, about what we struggle with. No this is easier said than done. People are scared that they might be judged or pushed out for their honesty. This is also where the church must show the same grace that that Lord showed us.
In this honest, we are not just sitting in our own mess, but trying to move forward in the things God has for us. When we are honest in our community our community grows in trust. We also see God moving in everyday ways. It is great to hear the stories of God moving in crazy ways, at the same time it is great to see how God is moving in the day to day aspects of our lives. We need to honest in the fact that we have not arrived, and that we struggle daily to follow our Lord. We will never stop struggling in one way or another, but we will become stronger walking in faith with God.
