I was sitting in the kitchen with Becca on Sunday night. We were eating Ramen noodles and both some what in need of some revelation....
We were both in this state of weariness. We had a busy weekend with another up and coming. It was good though, RIGHT? I mean we were doing stuff for Jesus, "advancing" his kingdom. Trying to be perfect for our daddy. Trying to do things the right way. Doing our best to be perfect so that we might make him smile.
Then with a bite of Ramen noodles came some revelation!
Jesus has never asked us to be perfect! He actually doesn't want us to be. If we were all perfect then what would we need Him for? Jesus loves showing us how kind he is, he LOVES it when he gets to pick me up after I have fallen down.
I remember when I first learned how to ride a bike. My dad would walk behind me holding on to the back of my seat, gently, just enough to hold me up. Then he would let go for only a second without me knowing. Then he would let go again and tell me. Whenever I thought that I was alone I would begin to fall, but he would catch me! Even though I couldn't see Him he was there. He was standing right behind me encouraging me the whole time, and when I did fall it was his pleasure to pick me up dust me off give me a bad-aid and a kiss and tell me "It's Okay! Keep Trying!". I knew that He would still stand beside me even when he wasn't holding the seat. He didn't expect me to jump on and ride 5 miles. He just wanted me to do my best. Even if in doing my best he had to pick me up and dust me off five hundred times!
He was okay with that. He enjoyed watching the smile that spread from ear to ear the first time I rode to the stop sign and then back for the first time by myself! It filled his heart with joy. He knew that I would still mess up but that didn't stop him from enjoying every moment of it!
That white bicycle with colorful hearts all over and a purple seat received many of its scratches and dents that first time my dad took off those pink training wheels but that didn't stop me either. I kept getting back on and with practice and encouragement I got the hang of it.
It may have taken me a little longer than my older sister who would ride circles around me with her much bigger bike, but eventually I caught on.
We may not have it down but that is okay! Jesus doesn't want us to be perfect he wants us to have to depend on him. He wants us know how much we need his mercy, grace, and love! He wants us to one day be able to ride around the block but for now I feel like he is saying that he wants us to delight in this season of him teaching and encouraging us! We will never be perfect, and of coarse we will be frustrated because with the training wheels on we could already ride to the stop sign. But now He is trying to show us a better way, the question is will we allow Him to walk beside us and encourage us or will we insist on doing it ourselves?
I guess that I need to go low.
As I fall down I realize how badly it is that I really do need Him! He is my daddy. He understands me better than anyone and He loves me like I am!
I don't know why I ever ran from him now! He is so good! HE DOESN'T WANT ME TO BE PERFECT! JUST TO BE WILLING TO LET HIM HELP ME UP WHEN I FALL!
Yell that at the top of your lungs! Its liberating!
Sorry that it is so long!
Best bite of Ramen noodles that I have EVER had!
