I memorize while I drive, at red lights and stop signs, these words of Paul which are soaking into my dry soul and reviving me each time I remember them.
As we drive, the kids test me, stopping me if I make a mistake.
And every Friday I record my voice reciting my learned verses, and email it to my Romans Project Group as a way to stay encouraged and accountable in community.
And although I eventually recite them without a mistake, in reality, not living them is the mistake I make.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free, in Christ Jesus, from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1 (NIV)
The truth is I am forgiven, because of Christ. The Spirit of life has set me free.
So why do I insist on performing and striving, falling again and again into the trap of judging myself?
Measuring my worth by what I do, and refusing to realize what really matters…
Trying to check off lists,
Failing to get it all done,
Not achieving enough,
Or not being all I think I should be.
This is how I live, always needing to do one. more. thing. Dragging myself up each day and falling into bed each night, always striving in my flesh with it never being enough.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)
I do want life. And I need a life of peace.
And my heart feels the death when I measure my accomplishment in the flesh … the doom that I will never measure up.
And the truth is. I. never. will. And neither will you.
But to set our minds on the things of the Spirit … this brings life and peace.
A life of peace.
Because His ways are not our ways. And He can accomplish so much more than we can ever imagine in us when we surrender to His work and not our own–work He does in the spiritual realm we may never see.
So instead of striving and measuring ourselves in our flesh, let’s stop.
Light a big fat RED stop sign.
Stop comparing.
Stop striving.
Stop judging our own hearts.
And let’s set our minds on the things of the Spirit.
Leaning on His Word,
Spending time with Him.
And surrendering to the season He is giving to us now.
And as we do, may His Spirit permeate our mortal bodies and give us life.
And Peace.
This life of peace we so desperately need.
Do you tend to be hard on yourself?
How does surrendering to the Spirit bring you peace?
I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:
Red…
Words are easy…writing, reciting, reading…like you said, “not living them [the words] is the mistake I make.” It’s always nice to hear that I’m not alone!
-Andrea, visiting from Five Minute Friday
http://raisingamommy.blogspot.com/2013/09/fmf-red.html
I tend to be so hard on myself. I recently read, “Unglued” and that has helped me identify when I’m listening to negative self-talk and replace them with truth. I love the idea of a Romans Project Group. What a cool community for encouragement and accountability. I’m so glad I stopped by from FMF.
I am very hard on myself at times. I need to stop comparing, stop striving and stop judging myself. So thankful in Christ I’ve been redeemed. Blessings!
I have always been harder on myself than with others. I am more forgiving of others for their shortcomings because I can see where they might be coming from, but I expect too much from myself. It’s that self condemnation that I can only be free from as I experience God’s loving Spirit more in my daily walk with Him.
Oh Andrea, you ARE NOT alone! So thankful you stopped by 🙂
I LOVED “Unglued”…wasn’t it so good! And I am very thankful to have a small group to memorize with, they are such an encouragement. So nice to “meet” you through FMF!
Me too Barbie, SO thankful!!
Yes, Linda … Yes! Blessings to you!