Turn Out of the Cul-de-sac

 The success of my faith does not rely on me. I am merely the successor to a sustainable God who always succeeds and claims Victory in all things. The sooner I realize this, the sooner I stop the cycle of thinking that a successful God is disappointed in my failures. 

Failing is all I feel I do some days. From simple acts of forgetfulness to catastrophic lapses in judgment. I find myself trapped in this cycle. 

My  journey with Jesus enters into this weird cul-de-sac again, and even though I know I can get back out, I’m just kind of tired of being here again! Can I get an amen? 

This Season of Lent may have you struggling with these same thoughts. Perhaps you’ve decided to be more diligent with an area of your life only to find that you dropped the ball in the FIRST WEEK. Why is that? What is happening? How do we get out of this funk? 

I’ve thought a lot about this and I believe it boils down to a matter of perspective. 

I believe that some of us have a picture of a God that stands at the altar and accepts our praise, our confession, and our heart-felt offerings. He stands there and is pleased with us. He stands there and comforts us. But He just stands there. 

We need to instead envision the true nature of God. Because the truth is this: 

He didn’t stay in the Sanctuary that Wednesday afternoon. 
He didn’t call it a night after Pastor David gave the benediction.
He went home with each and everyone of us. 
He had breakfast with us the next morning. 
He heard and saw everything we did to please Him in and out of our homes. 
On our drive to work, 
Standing in line with us at the grocery store,
Walking with us each and every step of the way as we worked toward living a holy and pleasing life for Him. Never far from Him. 

He never doubts that He will be successful in His pursuit of us. Let not the enemy have us believing the lie that we are unsuccessful in our pursuit of Him. 

Jess Connolly puts it plainly in her book entitled Dance, Stand, Run. 

"I need not be working to become a better person…I merely need to agree , or become who God has already made me to be.” She adds “He does the heavy lifting (by sending Jesus and offering us grace) and we do the agreeing- with our lives, our days, our spare time, our decisions, our relationships…The incredible act of being holy, for us, is one of acknowledgment and confirmation."

Today friends, I pray that you stop working so hard to do something that has already been done for you. Step into agreement with God’s Spirit working within you, acknowledge the work of Jesus in your life, and see Him sitting right across the room from you. Beside you at your desk, sitting on the floor as you work through your third basket of laundry, perched on a stool at your Kitchen counter. Wherever work is being done, He is there. He knows the difficulties we face in our pursuit to obey. Our High Priest, our ManGod, our Savior and Friend, says to you, “Hey, you. I’m here and I love you. Look no further. I am not far. Let me be your strength. Let me breathe into you a fresh start. I’m your confidant, your confidence, and comfort. I am with you and for you.” 

Take heart. He has overcome the world, and all the shortcomings you’ll face in this Lenten Season. Regardless of what you’ve sacrificed for Lent, be reminded that our greatest act ought to be leaning into Jesus. Have you lent Him your efforts? Have you asked Him to partner with you in your pursuit?

Let’s start today. Turn out of the cul-de-sac with me, wave “Hi” to me on the road. Encourage one another on the way. Accept the grace of God in your life:)

Your sister in Christ, 

                        Kari Banks