"We cannot play the role we were meant to play if we remain bound by shame and fear, presenting only to the world the face we have learned is safe. You have only one life to live. It would be best to live your own" - John and Stasi Eldredge, Captivating
I feel work being done in my stubborn heart. I know that Christ offers his free grace in my life constantly and yet I still struggle to live like it. Every day requires reminding that Christ loves me exactly as I am. I live as if I am conjuring up the perfect formula for obedience and then I will love Christ better - then He will love me better. Inevitably, I am unsuccessful in living up to these ridiculous expectations I have for myself. I feel myself pulling away from Christ in the moments where my self-deprecation is the worst - this is not what He desires from me. "Loving yourself first" is so much more than having a positive body image and demanding respect in relationships. Slowly I am learning to love and accept myself despite my imperfections, despite the fact that I WILL fail Him every day. I am learning to trust His promises for me. His steadfast love covers me always, forever, through any stumbling. I pray that my trust in His truth will be constant and that my joy will be ever present; established in His grace and mercy and abundant love poured out for me. I am becoming who I am meant to be.
I feel work being done in my stubborn heart. I know that Christ offers his free grace in my life constantly and yet I still struggle to live like it. Every day requires reminding that Christ loves me exactly as I am. I live as if I am conjuring up the perfect formula for obedience and then I will love Christ better - then He will love me better. Inevitably, I am unsuccessful in living up to these ridiculous expectations I have for myself. I feel myself pulling away from Christ in the moments where my self-deprecation is the worst - this is not what He desires from me. "Loving yourself first" is so much more than having a positive body image and demanding respect in relationships. Slowly I am learning to love and accept myself despite my imperfections, despite the fact that I WILL fail Him every day. I am learning to trust His promises for me. His steadfast love covers me always, forever, through any stumbling. I pray that my trust in His truth will be constant and that my joy will be ever present; established in His grace and mercy and abundant love poured out for me. I am becoming who I am meant to be.