Just the Way You Are

The bar is set so high!
No one set it for me.
I am sure people have played a part in constructing the frame on which the bar sets but...

It is all me. In my mind. In my heart. It's all me.

It is so hard to accept Grace and Mercy. Why is that?

Last night at church I didn't sit and marinate in the most clear and organized sermon. I didn't see the lame walk or the blind see. I didn't buckle under the annointing of God, although it was strong. I didn't fall asleep and have a dream. I didn't even get the "Holy Ghost shivers"....I don't think at least. Last night something greater happened. Something lasting took place. Something eternal.

I think I might have been able to accept the Grace of God.

For me, accepting the Grace of God is so hard because I always think I should "be better", or something along that thought process, and that I am not living up to how God wants me to be or how I want me to be. In the midst of a semi-confusing sermon these words struck me.

"Jesus wants you to come to Him not as who you should be or as you think you could be. Jesus wants you to come to Him as you are! Jesus loves you just the way you are." [not a direct quote...I'll put the quote up when the podcast comes out]

The above statement was addressed to Christians. That word was so life changing for me. It seems for so long that I have been coming before the Lord seeing myself as who I should be or who I want to be. There has been no freedom in that! We say that [the above quote] to unbelievers all the time but when it comes to believers it seems as if the grace has run dry. I will not allow this lie to live any more in my life! For the first time in a long time, maybe ever, I am able to come before the Lord saying

"This is me! Not who I want to be or who I think I should be. Just me."

and you can almost hear God reply with

"That is who I want. Just you. Just the way you are right now!"..."About time! haha"

I love it when God laughs!

Freedom