I want to take the time to encourage all of you who have ever felt like you were, dun dun dun…….. backsliding in your life as a Christian. We are human and with that comes a lot of baggage and brokenness, more reason why we need a savior.
When I feel like I am starting to slip in my duties as a Christian, I think back on the extreme love and joy I felt when I first heard the good news and accepted Jesus into my heart. I didn’t want to short-change what I was called to be. I felt like I finally understood what life was all about and why we were put here. That was 4 years ago….
Now I am back into the reality of this fallen world. I am reminded that I suck on my own. If I didn’t have God’s Word to lean on, or Jesus to pray to, I would be left living life my way, and that way is dangerous.
I can’t speak for all of us, but since I am human, just like the rest of you, I am sure women can relate when I say that it’s hard to not feel hypocritical when trying to live a Christian life when it’s something new and wasn’t in our upbringing. We want to live up to these standards that we see in other Christian moms, Christian blogs, or in books, or even on T.V. (Michelle Duggar). But I’m broken, and live a life where I battle with selfishness, and struggle with anger at secularity (because it is inviting). Too often I throw my hands up in the air and want to give up. It makes me feel like I am being hypocritical.
I am supposed to die to myself.
I say I am Christian, but I angrily honk my horn at drivers who drive these ridiculously slow speed limits here in Washington.
I say I am modest but really I do care about my appearance, and even though I dress appropriately, I want to be cute, modern, and young.
I say I am Christian, but I am battling the rude thoughts in my head when I feel rubbed the wrong way.
I say I want to fellowship, but I struggle with being picky about when and who I want to be social with.
This list could go on, and on, and on. You know why? Because I am broken. We are all broken people. And we must die to ourselves daily and pick up our cross and keep pushing forward.
It’s ok to make mistakes, after all, we are sinners. But there is a difference in making mistakes and intentionally sinning.
In the end, I know right from wrong and have chosen to obey to the best of my ability. I also know that we should not cross fine lines and bend the rules when we know the consequences. Let’s not lie to ourselves and make up who we want God to be. It will only cause problems in our lives. Let’s accept that we are broken and together let’s lean on God’s Word and look to each other for inspiration and encouragement.
Let’s die to ourselves daily.
Jacie is a wife to a prior tattoo artist, mommy of 3 (so far) and born again Christian who has spent the last 4 years making up for lost time. She was not raised in a Christian home, or even aware of who Jesus really was, until her husband and her went through a tragic time that brought them both to their knees. She hopes that the Lord will use her tattooed-sinful self to witness to others who live the life she once did, and that other sinners like herself, will come across this blog (Munahs Cupcake) and see the dramatic change that Jesus’ love can do, and in return, may it bring them closer to Christ. Her goal is to raise her homeschooled children in the name of The Lord and to train them to be well equipped to survive and serve in this fallen world. Throughout her blog will be stories of who she once was, and who she has become. All glory to God!
What an encouraging post! I think we all battle those inner thoughts(I know I do!) that make us feel “less” Christian. I thank God for His grace and mercy though, because I certainly wouldn’t make it without it!
Amen Dusty! I’m so thankful for God’s grace!
During my quiet time this morning I read from John 11 where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. I was struck as I read through that passage with how many times Jesus talked about how God was going to use this situation for His glory.
My prayer today is that God will fill me to bring glory to Himself.
Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful prayer!
What a lovely, honest post! This is why we, as believers, need to be transparent. So that we realize that everyone struggles and shouldn’t be surprised by them, but that we also have a great big God who gives us victory!
I love the line about not making God into Who we want Him to be. He doesn’t change and we can’t change Him when we bend the rules, as you said. We can try and fool ourselves but we can’t fool God.
And shout out to you regarding all the Washington drivers because *I* am from Washington too, and girl!!!! What’s up with them? I have to pray a lot when I’m driving as the work “jerk” and “idiot” will fly out of my mouth from time to time. I need lots of grace when I am driving! 😉
Thanks so much for guest blogging today, and thanks, Sarah, for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party! 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your thoughts.
Jacie- Proud of you for your honest and convicting post. There’s no better place for a Christian to be than to be on their knees, knowing they can’t do anything right without the grace and sacrifice of Jesus. Glad to call you my friend… Just keep swimming 🙂
Awwwwww, friend…thank you!
Well said Brandi!
This was an amazing post and I am thankful for it as it was timely and needed. I am a grandmom homeschooler and find that even though I have been a Christian for nearly 50 years, many of those years were as a backslider who felt unworthy to even kneel in prayer. I struggle every single day and you would think after all these years it would get easier to fight the devil and his demons but it does not. Thank you.
Pam, keep your eyes on Jesus. He knows your heart. That Devil needs to hit the road! 🙂 My prayers are with you xoxo
Isn’t God amazing in His timing? He is awesome!
Thank you for honestly sharing here Pam.
Blessings!
This was an original way of sharing some of the things we all struggle with. I liked your bio too, Jacie. Thanks Sarah for having her share/guest post today.
Thank you, Judith!
Thanks for stopping by Judith! It’s always a blessing to read your comments!
I love the raw honesty. I think we can all relate. 🙂
This was wonderful for a dozen reasons but I’ll start with the pictures. What a perfect visual confession! Wonderful job!
Sarah…Thank you for letting Jacie share. She keeps it real and I love that. So glad you shared this post at WJIM. Blessings.
Thank you everyone for the comments! This was a post that had me a lil uneasy about how it would be received. To me, it seems as if it was just what needed to be said 🙂
Great post! Thanks for inspiring us at Create With Joy! Hope to see you again this week at Inspire Me Monday! 🙂
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Thanks for sharing this post on my link-up this week. Very encouraging. It is so important to remember that our Christian life is not one of duty, but of love and joy!