This morning during prayer I was thinking about how living a good, decent and healthy life does not always come naturally. It takes effort to be better, be more disciplined. There are times that we feel accomplished and confident that our lives are pleasing to God. But there are also times when we feel we have slipped or been careless, self-centred, uncaring, unloving and a let-down to ourselves and others.

And then in my mind, it was like I saw two circles. One, where I am doing well, on-track, feeling God’s presence, having purpose and direction. And the other, where all the let-down, shortcomings, sin, guilt, shame and disappointment happens. And I resolved to believe that even though I am saved by His grace, so long as I am living and breathing on this earth, it will always be a life of dodging between the 2 circles.

Then I sensed God, with all the love and care and grace of a good father, remind me as if to say:

“I am not in that one circle. I am also outside of both. Nothing you do in either one of those circles can change who I am to you. There is no secret formula for you to create or maintain a better life, or stay within the better circle. Only look to me and accept that my love for you is greater than what is inside those two circles. Those two circles are small and insignificant in comparison to the eternal plans that I have for you. So much greater than you could possibly understand with your temporary limited mind. There is no way you could earn your way outside those two circles. You have to be taken there. I have already given you the ticket to be there right now when you believe and accept that it was paid for by my son Jesus."

"I am the way and the truth and the life" John 14:6 ♥