Be who you are.

Have you ever thought about how plagued we are by the way we speak and how others speak to us?  Honestly and candidly, I get so wrapped up in how people treat me and forget that my hope isn't built on what others say and do.  Why do we think it works that way?  In thinking on what it is that has us so wrapped up in the opinions of others, I realized that our culture has shifted so far away from the Word of God and in turn we expect the instant gratification from others to somehow fulfill our needs.

The truth is that our hope should be built on Jesus -- He should be all the gratification that we need.  Still, I find that I rely entirely too much on my friends to supply all that I need (confidence, joy, comraderie, love, etc...) and entirely too little on what the Lord provides.  The Word sets out a clear path for us to follow in regard to our relationships and friendships and I know that I struggle to follow it. 

^"2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." - Ephesians 4:2-6
 

I look at that scripture and see how I have failed at each word.  Humility and gentleness and patience -- all things that I want to be with my whole heart but also areas where I know I struggle.  And, lest you believe that I'm being too hard on myself, I am also encouraged by that passage.  In it I see the grace that the Lord has given that has so fully covered my "humanisms" and kept moving me forward.  In it I see the grace the the Lord has given me when I know a friend is intentionally pushing my buttons because they know I'll be bothered.  In it I see the grace that the Lord has given me when I feel lonely and how he has kept my eyes focused on what lies ahead.  In it I find encouragement to be who I am called to be. 

My message today is this:  Stop worrying about who you are in your flesh.  Truthfully, our flesh will never satisfy us or bring us peace.  All of our peace in found in Jesus.  He's not the author of confusion, He's the author and finisher of our faith and He's perfect.  We don't have to be perfect.  If you're struggling today because you don't feel like people are giving you grace, examine your heart.  Our hearts are the wellspring of life, but they can also be deceitful.  Don't be deceived by your heart, but remember the perfect grace that is alive on the inside of you because of Jesus.

Go in greatness today and be who you are.