Friday, November 7, 2008

Love & Hearts & Stuff

There is a framed poster hanging in the bathroom at work with a picture of the Tin Man and the caption on the poster says: "Remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much it loves, but by how much it is loved by others." (From the Wizard of Oz to the Tin Man)

WHAT? Seriously, could this be any further from the truth? When I die and go to heaven I know I'm not going to be judged by how many people loved me (thank goodness) but I will be judged by how [many people] I loved. Is my being judged by the latter going to be any better for me than former?

Here's the problem for me: I know the truth but I still struggle with the lie. I'm constantly "keeping score" of things; how many friends I have on Facebook; how many "hits" I have on my blog, how many birthday cards I get on my birthday, and the list goes on. I'm constantly comparing myself to some "ruler" that I will never measure up on. I do know the creator of this "ruler" though; his name is Satan, the Devil, or his most effective name: the Deceiver.

Even though in my heart and my mind, I know that I am not accepted by God because of anything I've ever said, or done; or because of everyone that I've ever loved. Even so, I still try my hardest to "measure up" for him too. I waste so much time trying to be someone I think he wants me to be rather than just doing what he wants me to do. I think in being a "doing" person (a heart that loves) I'm "being" the person God wants me to be.

God help me to focus on you and what you want me to do; help me to stop keeping score and keeping track for if I do that, I will miss out on so many things you want me to know; I will miss opportunities to love on your behalf; I will be too busy trying to impress people around me that I will miss how great you are and how big you are in my life. Father God, forgive me...for worrying more about how I look and what people think of me than seeing to it that I'm right with you. I'm ready to do your will. Amen.

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone."
Ephesians 1:11-12 The Message

3 comments:

  1. This certainly has been a continuing struggle of mine throughout the years. Why is it always so hard, not only to rest in who God is, but also to rest in who He made me to be?? Have a blessed day, sister :)

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  2. Well said. Just today I briefly wondered as I was on another blog...why don't I get as many comments as so and so...sheesh. We are who we are! No comparisons.

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  3. Great post, Janelle. I pray, as you do, that I will live and breathe for an Audience of One -- instead of the masses of folks that I think I need to keep happy. Thanks for the reminder, Janelle. Can't wait to spend the weekend with you!

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