It kind of felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest this morning.
There’s nothing that makes my descent into guilt feel more like Six Flags’ Giant Drop instead of a gradual decline than when my son is battling separation anxiety as I head off to work.
In these moments, it’s almost impossible to feel like a good—even mediocre—mom. And these moments… well, they’re just the right-sized cracks in my heart that lies and shame need to crawl in and wreak havoc on my soul. I bet you have felt that-the moments that are just the right concoction that yields some struggle… especially if you’re like me and you feel all the feels. (Can I get a witness?)
As children’s ministry leaders, we study and teach the truths of Scripture, yet we allow shame and guilt into our lives even though we KNOW truth. We have the verses, we’ve memorized passages, we’ve read the books and devotionals… we know. But allowing truth to penetrate our souls, to seal up those cracks … that’s another matter. Knowledge is not equal to embodiment.
It’s the movement of this knowledge into the transformation of our souls that requires supernatural work.
He freely offers peace, grace, truth, light, water, and rest for our weary souls. Knowing this is not enough. I have to claim it. Run to it. Hands open in expectation for what He promises to give. This is only found in His presence.
“…and in Christ you have been brought to FULLNESS. He is the head over every power and authority. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:10, 13-14)
The failures, guilt, shame, and shortcomings = nailed to the cross. The more we spend time in His presence, the more we get to know His grace, the more we can throw kindness and grace around like confetti. (Even toward our own hearts when we’re our worst source of condemnation.)
The next time we feel guilt moving in, we need to remind it where it really is—nailed to that cross.
Sisters and brothers, whatever is finding its way into the cracks in your heart today, can I speak some truth and grace over you?
You’re loved. You don’t have to try so hard. He’s already pleased with you.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
You’re seen. He knows what happened this morning, and what will happen as your day goes on. He’s offering peace for your soul. Put your hope in Him, and find rest at His feet.
“For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps” Job 34:21
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
You’re His ambassador. Do you claim this today? That you’re the representation of His Son to those you encounter? I hope you receive this, and that your sense of purpose and calling inflates beyond what you can imagine as you walk forward today.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20a
As I drove in to work, I claimed the wonder of these truths and prayed peace over my son’s heart, and my own. I prayed for a day where he could see beauty, and that his little heart would find wonder and delight in the simple things as it so often does.
Friends, I hope you sense His presence, that you become more aware of the wonder of His glory around you today, and that you’re overcome with delight in these truths.
Hugs!
Michayla
