When you I write a blog post I rarely never have the time to find all the scrumptious words or present my offering with the “voila!” of someone serving a gourmet feast at Thanksgiving.
But this morning, more than most, I feel like I’m serving up “bare naked chicken” – just a couple of things I’ve been thinking about that seem to go together.
A few weeks ago I was listening to a sermon podcast by Craig Groeschel and honestly I can’t remember the point of the sermon because as an aside (not having to do with the message at all), he said his counselor had asked him two questions.
Those two questions are what my mind keeps returning to. Here’s what they are:
- What are you trying to prove?
- Who are you trying to impress?
Aren’t those great questions? When we’re trying to figure out the next best step. When we’re tempted to compare. When we need a little perspective. When we feel dinged by someone else.
I like those questions, but I’ve been thinking they are incomplete without two transformational truths to hold onto also:
- God is with you.
- God is for you.
If we truly own those two truths we won’t have anything to prove. We won’t have anyone we need to impress.
Isaiah 43:1-4 says
But now, God’s Message,
the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you. (MSG)
That’s it. Just some “bare naked chicken” I’ve been thinking about. What about you?
