There have been so many wasted days in my life. Days I wished I was a part of a better church. A church with passionate worship. Or more powerful preaching. Cooler leadership that understood “the times” better.
Eventually God gave me some leadership opportunities my own. Then this judgement toward others turned into self-condemnation. I often pressured myself. Wishing I were a more powerful, passionate or hip leader. Wondering what was wrong with me when ministries I were a part of or leading weren’t growing or didn’t have what I considered exciting momentum.
Do you feel it? Are you caught up today in where your church or leaders are lacking? Are you a church leader caught up in where you wish you were? Or comparing yourself to other churches?
It’s easy in life to get caught up in the what-could-be, or the what-could-have-been. It’s easy to forget the power of today.
Being a part of OUTCRY exposes me to many amazing churches. Both their strengths and weaknesses. I get to see that they are people like you and I. Imperfect people with their own highs and lows. People simply trying to be faithful with what is in front of them. Doing ministry with other messy and imperfect people.
When we think that these ministries are perfect, we begin to judge each other and ourselves against a perceived perfection that doesn’t exist. This causes us to dwell on our imperfections and the imperfections of others. It’s the broken record of thoughts that steal our sleep and rob our joy.
Jesus told us to not be consumed with worry. Not being consumed about the fears for tomorrow. Not looking back in crippling regret. But engaging with life and Jesus right where you are. Today.
This is like a salve for a burned and tired soul. Let these familiar words of Jesus wash over you in a new way.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
—Matt 6:34—
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—Matt 11:28-30—
When you and I are consumed with the imperfections in front of us—whether in others or ourselves—we miss out on the beauty and peace of here-and-now. We miss out on what God wants to build in us today. An ease and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Not only that, the more we find the power of today, the more we begin to enjoy the messy and imperfect around us. Whether in our church or family, we begin to see the mess and chaos as something beautiful. Something to be deeply enjoyed.
Remember, today is going to be a great day.
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