Why I’m Doing Much Better Than I Deserve (and You Probably are Too)
This was a response from an upbeat parking attendant we met this weekend at Calvary Church in Philadelphia.
It has stuck with me for the last two days. Probably because I can relate; also because it’s true for all of us when we have a life in Christ.
On the journey of going by faith, we meet with confrontation. We come face to face with people’s feelings about us that differ from our own. Some will think of us a certain way from the past. Others will categorize us, judge us and in some cases, hate us.
We can feel this way about our own life if we’re not careful–if we forget for even one second whose hands we have been delivered into.
When I look at the direction my life was headed before becoming saved, it’s scary. Maybe what’s even scarier was that I didn’t realize it.
Don’t Be Surprised By Trials–It’s Part of a Life in Christ
We will all face trials, but when we remember that Jesus has conquered death, we remember that are soul is saved, despite what happens to our bodies, our reputations or any other worldly aspect here on earth.
And it’s not always easy to have the “mind of Christ” when we feel attacked, blamed or treated unfairly, but that’s part of the refinement process. Do we trust what God’s doing in our life, or do we trust what the world tells us is true? We have a chance to feel the burn of our spiritual growth as we use discernment and make better choices.
And better choices can feel awkward. They can feel unpopular.
When we start praying for wisdom and guidance, our life starts changing. We can even feel like everything is turning upside down on us; it can feel as if we’ll be swallowed up in the flames of refinement.
“When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” (Isiah 43:2). Trust the living word.
Nothing lasts but God’s love. Despite our shortcomings, failures and faults, God says we belong to Him, and He loves us. When we live a life in Christ, and when we know our sins have been washed away by His blood, we can all agree–despite anything going right or wrong in our life–that we are doing much better than we deserve to be.