“The Christian life can feel so heavy [because] we try to advance it by our own power. But we need him. We need not fear what we see in ourselves because he is our hope. Whatever you see in yourself . . . use as a way to lay down your life to him. We have nothing to lose in handing our life over to Jesus; but we have everything to lose by refusing.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
As Kyle Strobel and John Coe move on in Chapter 5 of When God Seems Distant, they acknowledge this about the depths of our brokenness and pain. That those depths may feel like they’re undoing God’s work. Rather than inviting us into it. Therefore, many people assume that ignoring their pain represents the safest bet. Instead of seeing our pain as a necessary path to healing.
Hence, instead of coming to Christ trusting that only His robes of righteousness can cover us, we fill the emptiness with things we can control. As a result, we seek to use religion, morality, and success to cover ourselves.
In conclusion, Kyle and John counsel:
“Instead of walking into the depths of the truth, grappling with how God has called us even more deeply into his love, we try to stay in the shallow end of our life, hoping that if we ignore our sin and pain, they will fade away. . . . Convinced that God will not receive us in our brokenness, sin, and pain, we cut ourselves off from the only possible source of our healing — God himself.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses convince us that we have nothing to lose by handing our life over to Jesus? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “One who comes to God honestly”