Still Sinners

"But see how God manifested His love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Insecurities, worries, fears… these are all things that drive us away from God, that build up walls that prevent us from getting closer. For me, the biggest wall I put up is feeling like I'm not worthy of Him. I try to be good, but day after day I disappoint myself over something I said or did that I know was against God's will. I have an image in my mind of what I think I should be like so that God could be happier with me, or at least listen and reply to more of my prayers. Sometimes I just want to approach Him without feeling I need to change so many things about myself in order to please Him.

However, when I think like this, I'm showing that I don't really know how patient and loving God is. We tend to be good to good people and we would never go out of our way for bad people, but as this verse says, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He didn't give up His life for the good people who deserved it, but for the sinners, like you and I, who need a lot of help, a lot of guidance, and many, many second, third, and fourth chances. Instead of letting so much junk fill our heads we need to see Jesus for what He really did… He came to show compassion to those who felt unworthy. He came to show acceptance to those who felt like they weren't good enough. And most especially, He came to show guidance and peace to those who needed it the most.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, take my insecurities and my sins and do away with them. I give them to You because I'm too tired to carry them anymore. Take away my hurt and my shame and give me an extra dose of the Holy Spirit so I can follow You closer each day. In Your Name we pray, amen.