Hope in a world of hopelessness

I have been reminded time and time again of this hopeless world that we live in. People just walking around with no hope! When I watch the news, read the paper, or even get on the internet I see people searching for something bigger than themselves. People looking for the next big thing. The thing that will overcome this "lame" life that we all lead. Impatiently waiting for the next thing to do whether it be drugs, jumping off the tallest building, or going to the next church function. Yeah I said it... Even "Christians" fall into the constant want for something more. We come to church, sit in a seat, and say, "Okay, I'M here. Teach ME. Entertain ME. Feed ME. Give ME your attention because I am hurting." Most of us can't even stay tuned in for a complete sermon. We are on to what we want for lunch, or what the afternoon entails before the main point of the message is revealed. 

WHY?!

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see just at the right time, when we were still powerless, christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man some might possibly dare to die. Bur God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:1-8

God sent his only son to die a horrible death for us! Christ took on the sins of the world that hadn't even been committed yet and nailed them to a cross. Our days should not revolve around ME but HIM! My heart is bursting to tell of all the things that he has done. I want the world to know this man called Jesus Christ. I long for them to have the relationship with him that I do. It's not about me! It's not about going to church twice a week and maybe getting something from the sermon. My relationship is reflected in a moment by moment lifestyle. My worship doesn't only take place within the walls of the church. It is in my work, in my play, in my words, and in my actions. I can't go back to just going through the motions. My heart is that my life change will be a testament to the words that I have just spoken. Things are different and I'm glad. 

Who Am I Really?

I was asked this past week to sum myself up in a few words to people that have never met me before. I gave the typical answer of what I thought I wanted others to know about me. However, on my way home that afternoon it hit me what I am in two simple words. I am a PEOPLE PLEASER! I have a terrible time saying no. I am constantly doing things for others but find it very difficult to ask for help in return. I do what others ask me to do. I go where others say I should go. I worry about what other people want and need. I rarely spend time doing things for myself and when I do I am constantly thinking of how I can help someone else. Quite frankly it's EXHAUSTING!! I have come to the breaking point. My body is tired, my mind needs a break, my heart needs to recover from one, and my soul continues to yearn for the one thing that I know will never be disappointed in me. 

In Sunday School this past week, Nick asked the kids to write down something that they hated. He was getting at things like chores but my mind could not get away from the fact that I hate to fail. I hate to fail others mostly. I will do whatever it takes so that someone else is not disappointed in me. Especially those that are close to my heart. I put so much pressure on myself that I don't even enjoy the things that I once did because I hate to see them end up any less than perfect. I know that I am not perfect and I hope that I do not come off that way, but on the other hand that is exactly what I strive for. Have I become a hypocrite? How can I tell students that it's okay to mess up when I am trying for nothing less than perfection? 

Doing things for others is something that I love to do and it is how I show that I truly care for them. But taking it to the extreme has cause much pain and exhaustion. I have become so stressed out trying to make sure that others are taken care of that I have lost myself in the mix. 

My first step has to be saying no to something/someone...Who/what will it be? If it is you or something that you ask me to do then I am sorry in advance. Please understand that I cannot continue living like this. But don't let it keep you from asking.