First of all, welcome back Cotter…I mean…Kayla. This is a weird early morning Monday edition because I’m on vacation and actually have the time to write.
Secondly, I’m in Arizona and sweating just sitting inside this coffee shop. It’s hot here.
Okay.
I’ve had many conversations lately around the premise of “this will fix that.”
“If I get through this week, then I’ll be on vacation and will finally be able to slow down…”
“If I get this job, then I’ll make more money…”
“If I do this one thing right, then…”
“If I get married, then I’ll be happy…”
“If I get married, then we’ll have 2 incomes and finally be able to afford…”
YOU GET THE PICTURE. (Sorry for screen-yelling at you.)
The problem with all of this is that it never works. All of the above scenarios, and what ever ones you were thinking in your own head, require me to be better, to work harder, to do something that fixes an issue. Yet, behind all of these issues are insecurities, pride, distrust….sin. They miss Christ.
God is continually reminding me that my life is already redeemed. Not only do I not have to work for His goodness, I can’t work for His goodness. He has already given it to me, with no strings attached!
In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Also, Jesus doesn’t fix me. Jesus heals me. Makes me whole, more human.
Jesus isn’t in the business of fixing people. He’s in the business of making them completely new.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of the flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The Bible doesn’t say that Jesus died so that I could be a better person, or live a happier life, or get married. Jesus lived a perfect life, died the death that I deserve, was buried, and rose again on the third day so that I can be redeemed and made alive in Him. That’s it. That’s the point.
Marriage won’t fix me. Jesus doesn’t even fix me. Jesus makes me whole and new. And that is enough.
*get quirk with Bjork, Zooey Deschanel, and Mary Kate Olsen here!
Kayla Smith 