Read:
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
~Philippians 3:8-9 (NLT)
Consider:
So many things in life are about our performance. You see it in the television shows we watch; shows like “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent“. Our success in life appears to depend on our ability to perform and please others. Even in our workplaces we receive “Performance Evaluations” to determine our worthiness for pay increases and promotions. We work hard to do a good job so we can become “successful”.
It’s only natural that this performance mindset would carry over into our relationship with God. But Paul reminds us that our performances for God are like “garbage” when compared to what Christ has already done on our behalf. Our relationship with God is based on Jesus and His perfect performance.
God doesn’t want us to perform for Him~He wants us to live in Him.
For in him we live and move and exist…
~Acts 17:28a (NLT)
Living in Christ means allowing His power to work in our lives. It means staying in relationship with Him; spending time with Him~allowing Him to fill us up so we can overflow with His love to those around us! God wants us to live for Him and in Him in our every day life~at work, at home, at church, while running errands~every place you find yourself. Stop performing and start living!
Breathe:
Breathe in His love…exhale all your struggles…
Where do you most often find yourself performing for God or someone else? Allow God to live through you instead.
Pray:
Jesus~Thank you for everything You did for us and on our behalf. Because of You, there is no longer any need for us to perform. Instead You gave us freedom to live with You and in You! Anything we try to do on our own to please God is like garbage in comparison to what You have already done for us. Help us to live our lives in complete surrender to You. Draw us close in sweet and intimate relationship with You. Fill us up and cause us to overflow Your love to everyone we meet…