Give up

I have noticed a lot of self-effort recently in my conversations with Christians. People try to love more, try to be a better person, try to forgive, try follow Jesus. The problem with trying is that the starting point for the self-effort attempts is still self. When our starting point for any kind of transformational work is self, we are doomed to failure. If we could transform ourselves into people who love without restraint, who freely forgive without limitation, who radically follow Jesus without reservation, we would have no need for a Saviour.

I have discovered that embracing my human-ness, and coming to grips with my own inability to to live in the manner expected by God allows me to experience the transformational power of God. Instead of attempting to cover my ugliness with a veneer of goodness, I throw myself on the mercy of God, realizing that apart from Him I have no chance of ever changing. Instead of focusing on changing my behaviors, I run into Him with all my destructive ways, allowing His words and work to transform me.

As I yield my ugliness and humanity to Him, I have discovered that He begins to transform my thought processes and behaviors. I no longer need to strive to change myself into what I think God wants. I allow Him to change me into what He wants.

Instead of trying harder to change, I encourage you to abandon yourself in all your ugliness to God. Let Him define you with His words, let Him transform you by His Spirit, embrace His strategy for your transformation. You cannot change yourself, you cannot rescue yourself. Instead, allow the supernatural work of Jesus to become real in you.