and grace set me free.

  I need to be reminded of the gospel today...well not just today, but everyday.  Something I fail to do is preach this lovely message to myself daily.  The past week has been completely insane and hectic.  Summer is just around the corner and my schedule is filled with helping friends move, attending exciting events, and assisting my parents with the cleaning process in hopes to sell our house and move.            Today was yard sale day.  It has been exhausting carrying items up and down stairs and making the final decision of whether to sell the red stuffed animal dog or not.  But the feeling of getting rid of all the "junk" is a freeing one.  Even though putting on a yard sale and moving is hard work, it's worth it.  The breath you take in your new house is refreshing and long awaited.  Accepting Jesus into your life and continuously following him to get rid of the junk that suffocates you is worth it.  Sometimes it seems like hard work to believe the gospel, but it is always that breath of fresh air at the end of a job well done.  Except it doesn't matter if you did the job well....the message of the gospel is always the same.  

  Many people believe that being a Christian means following a long list of rules.  I didn't murder anyone today...so where is my gold star??  It is not about following a list a rules.  It is about loving and serving an amazing God.  Like in any relationship you want to supply love and care to the other person.  I do not do good things because God will smite me if I don't...I do them out of love for Him.  He loves to see his children respond to His kindness by loving others.  Serving God brings joy to my heart.  If it doesn't I am performing actions and deeds for some form of personal praise or other gain.  Looking at the gospel from a view of do's and don'ts will never bring about its full meaning.  The world is full of do's and don'ts...Jesus brought us freedom.  Freedom from the weight of sin.  And he invites us to live in his light daily.  

  Some people also wonder why the bible is filled with stories of people who constantly turn to sin, murder, cheat, lie, and the list continues.  Well, in reality that is what we all do.  Our hearts trick us into wanting to run to worldly fixes and addictions.  It is much easier for me to just give in instead of turning to God.  But giving in always leaves me feeling empty.  Remembering that Jesus was sent to save me and give me life even when I make mistakes is freeing.  So, I am happy the bible tells stories about people who messed up.  I mess up.  Those life stories point to the love and redemption that God offers. It shows us that we can not do it alone...and that life isn't all about us.  One of my favorite pictures the bible paints is in the story of David.  He is called a man after God's own heart..but he still made many mistakes.  He tried to make his own plan to become king...but it failed, and yet he is still called a man after God's heart.  That is exhilarating to me because I try to make my own plans to fulfill what I think God has called me to do.  Even though I am human and make errors I am still loved and invited into life and mission with Jesus.  My evil heart is restored and shaped to be more like His...not by my own doing, but through Jesus.  The bible is encouraging because it proves that God's plan will reign, and that He will use broken people to carry it out.

  Just like the process of moving, selling, and painting to create a beautiful home to enjoy...I feel like remembering and living the gospel can be compared.  I feel like I am constantly being shaped and changed by God everyday.  I have to move things out of my life that are not healthy and pure.  Sometimes a new paint job is needed to hide my flaws from the world (this is NOT a part of the gospel but something I tend to do).  And I move to follow God's call for my life.  This entire process is hard work...but looking forward to a beautiful home in heaven makes it worth it.  And this work here on earth is preparing me for the joy of praising God for eternity.  Overall,  I am learning that the gospel is growing deeper into the love of God, accepting the healing He offers, seeing His redemption, and telling others of this glorious love and mission.  While the process may seem strenuous the grace and provision of God are not.  The gospel does not call us to work hard in order to get results..but I think the hard work is learning to accept that.  I cannot work to make God love me more...oh what wonderful news.