Friday Fight 169: Our Whole Self

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF169.

How many of us think about attending church but find that situations, circumstances, or hidden habits tend to stop us? We want to go and desire the peace it brings, but we tend to wait until circumstances are more favorable to attend. Maybe it's not burdens we are holding, but more simply, Sunday is our time of extended sleep and waking up rested rather than exhausted. Whatever the case may be, what truth can be applied to open our minds to what God wants to show us?

Our Whole Self:

We all have a different idea of what church means. Some dress up, others wear jeans and flip-flops, and others appreciate watching church online from the comforts of home. What makes us feel like we can only bring part of ourselves to church? Better stated, what would we need to hide from everyone if the church were in our home? Whatever we feel we need to conceal is likely being used as a tool that is preventing us from bringing our whole heart to God. The lies of darkness are tricky. They are fabricated enough to instill in us a reluctance to attend church until later. As these lies are continuously spoken, gathering with other sinners in the presence of God never seems to happen. I know people who have been intending to "attend church" for years, yet every Saturday, a random shameful thought regarding their life stops them. This thought process is similar to those who will only go to the gym after losing weight or those who are tired of being alone but refuse to compromise any part of their schedule, which is counterproductive.

Matthew 10:30 tells us that God already knows everything about us, down to the number of hairs on our heads. God's love is unconditional. He doesn't want perfection or for us to reach levels of holiness that the lies of darkness will ensure we never meet. Our Creator wants us to meet Him where we are, with all we carry, and leave it with Him. He longs for a personal relationship with each of us, cherishing our unique qualities, and inviting us to share our whole selves with Him.

Christ intercedes for us continually as He stands before the throne of God. His intercession is not a passive act, but a powerful one that strengthens us in our journey. Jesus is never hidden from the depths of our souls, and He graciously awaits a personal relationship with each of us. He weeps for those hiding from Him because Christ's presence is crucial and truthful as His power covers our shame, weakens the force of our addictions, and even a tiny glimpse of His mercy increases our desire to spend more time in His company. The love of Christ is full of compassion, and those who walk with Him inside their heart can do nothing to remove themselves from our Creator's grace.

Pastor Shannon

NewLife