How Do I Measure Up?

How Do I Measure Up?

Good Morning Friends,

In my work this week we have really done some preparation, planning and work related to an accreditation visit in the fall…a partnership with the YMCA, work with students creating the future fresh line of products with the Taste of Immokalee and an eight year healthy community Blue Zone project. I have also done a self-test of my financial, physical and spiritual health. Still I am wondering… How Do I Measure Up?

Scripture: Thus says the LORD: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast, boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NRSV)

21But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ^* for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:21-24 (NRSV)

The world and its cravings are passing away, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.

1 John 2:17 (CEB)

Message: How one measures up depends on what one believes, conceives and works to achieve. Hollywood wants us to believe that faith is not intelligent…that marriage is not a sacred bond…that the world can satisfy…that authority does not matter. But the problem is that the world does not make us happier. The world is filled with sinners that do not admit they have sinned. Living in this kind of world leaves us broken, empty and hungering for more. Measuring up to the world is pointless. Even wisdom, strength, and wealth do not count for much. Oh, they can feel great for a time, don’t get me wrong for I understand their power, but they are not something to brag about because the feeling does not last. It only demands more. Friends, the only thing worth boasting about is our relationship with God and that means not getting stuck short of God’s promise of love. And if we have a relationship with God then we will know that God is awesome, powerful and compassionate, empowering each of us to be kind to one another with a unifying purpose. But friends, also know that God keeps score and wants justice and righteousness to pervade our lives in His new covenant. Grace is not grace if we continue ignoring the sin. So don’t stop short of the full and eternal promise of salvation. There are countless stories of fame and fortune that have left people broke because people though they did not need God’s coverage. So be shaped by a Holy Spirit justice of righteousness and kindness. Know that Jesus is the only one who brings true satisfaction, happiness, hope and contentment. Fill your life with the love of Jesus and you will measure up to the only thing that really matters. To believe, conceive and achieve is only dreamed unless one has been redeemed. The world will not give you anything in return. Only God can pay that price. Here we discover that God’s justifying grace does not just open our eyes to the love and companionship of God, at that first moment of belief, it also extends into every experience of our lives where God pursues this grace in our empty and broken relationships with others. Here we discover that grace is about saying “yes” to God, saying “yes” to relationships. Here we discover that our conversion continues each time we find new ways of saying “yes” to God…each time we find new ways of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. Here we discover that there is nothing we can do to earn grace and that sometimes when we work hardest to earn it we miss the mark the more. Somehow faith that responds to God’s offer with trust connects with gratitude and becomes the motivation for the life we are to lead. Here the fruit of our justification grows as long as we are connected to Christ. Here we continue to grow in grace. Being in Christ, for Christ and with Christ is the only way to measure up.

Pray we are never unkind to anyone on the face of the earth. Pray we know that we are justified by our faith in Jesus. Pray we have the grace to be more like Jesus. Pray we realize that the only thing worth boasting about is Jesus. Pray we are working for things that satisfy the soul. Pray we believe in Jesus. Pray we see God’s glory through the eyes of scripture interwoven in the events of our lives. Pray we see the logic of faith and how it engages our minds in the pursuit of God, even as He pursues us. Pray God touches our emotions with gratitude and appreciation, love and compassion, joy and relief. Pray our faith extends beyond our emotions to create in us the continuing acceptance of God’s offer of grace until we are changed forever.

Blessings,

John Lawson