I’m pleased to have Janet Hanson, Bible teacher, speaker, and writer, as a guest blogger today. Janet’s wisdom leads others to a deeper knowledge of Jesus.
“It’s not so much that the Bible portrays us as worms groveling in the dirt, our every inclination evil,” the professor gently argued. “No, found in every chapter of God’s Word is the tragic story of human beings who are massively confused.”
The image of worms had captured my wandering, word-weary attention. I leaned with interest toward the podium as the speaker explained,
“In his book, City of God, St. Augustine reminds us of where we live—not yet in the eternal city where God is fully loved, nor in the God-defying city of the devil. But we dwell at the swirling confluence of those two opposing influences. The Bible names this place Babylon, which means, literally, Confusion.”
Confusion—it is the very atmosphere of our world. Read the newspaper—good people inexplicably permit great evil to flourish, the darkest of hearts astound us with unselfish acts of heroism.
Or read your own life. In every one of us, we find the stamp of the image of God, as well as sin working to erase all resemblance to Him. We betray ourselves, we astound ourselves, we disappoint ourselves—we are confused.
The Apostle Paul lamented, “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me…what a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me…(Romans 7:21-24)?”
Do you know what he’s talking about? Are you haunted by the memory of moments, of choices—of cruel words, of furtive, forbidden acts, or callous inattention that left others wounded, relationships broken—maybe even destroyed?
I confess that long after I have forgiven and forgotten what others have done to me, I nurse the shame of my own selfish betrayals, both petty and grievous. I want to be good, I want to love, and hate the ways I sabotage my own best intentions. Can you relate?
Fortunately, God is kinder to us than we are to ourselves.
To those of tender conscience who struggle to forgive our own failings, the Bible assures, “If our hearts condemn us; we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20).”
Do you hear what the author of 1 John is saying? Never, while on our journey to becoming who God designed us to be, will we have a “perfect” day. We will get confused, we will let Him and others down, and our hearts will point fingers of regret.
But we can, every day, be grateful. God is bigger, and knows us better, and, to those who join hearts and lives with His Son, gives the sweet gift of forgiveness, and the firm grip of His Spirit to lead us home.
Ginny L. Yttrup
- Seeing the God Who Sees October 3, 2019“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 In the circular way God often leads, I recently found myself back in the wilderness, tracing the path of Hagar. I’ve walked with […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Finding Mary October 3, 2019At 5:02 AM an alert, set to the Stress tone, sounded in my mind. Heart racing, breaths coming in shallow bursts, a long list of impossible to-dos running through my mind, I greeted the day. I threw back the covers and put feet to the floor of my bedroom by night, office by day. I […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Every Escape I’ve Known January 24, 2017I opened the mailbox and pulled out a stack of envelopes. As I thumbed through them before making the short walk back to the house, I saw it. The return address. And I knew. The contents of the small envelope would wound me. Deeply. As the sender has wounded me so many times before. My […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- I’m Paying Atten… Wait, What? January 6, 2017I confess, I’m a bit of a rebel. A quiet, mostly well-behaved rebel, but a rebel nonetheless. I don’t like conforming. Following the crowd. When it seems everyone is doing something… Like making resolutions at the beginning of a new year. Or choosing a word for the year. I want to do something else. Besides, those […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Doubt Sparks October 5, 2014The boughs of the redwoods, browned by the drought, bounce in the breeze. The same breeze that stirs the King Fire up the road, and the Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park. Smoke, like doubt, clouds the horizon. Flames, the novel I’m writing, is never far from my mind—or my doubts. It isn’t that the […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Raising Men April 17, 2014If I’d known then what I know now… When I held those precious babes bundled in blue. When during the night watches I rocked them to the rhythm of my prayers. When I was their whole world and innocence was still their reality. If I’d known then… I would have held them tighter. Prayed harder. […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Rooted August 15, 2013I pounded the letters into metal—over and over—one letter at a time. The stamped jewelry was part of a 200+ piece custom order bearing the group’s theme. I saw the letters during the days as I worked. I dreamt the letters at night. I knew the letters in both English and Spanish. But the word […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Really? September 13, 2012I’m in the midst of a season where I feel like all I say to God is, “Really?” While the question is the same, the tone, I confess, changes. Sometimes it’s laced with saracasm as in, “Really, God? You’re kidding, right?” Other times it’s asked in awe. The picture above reflects one of those […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- I Don’t Understand… July 16, 2012I woke this morning with a searing pain in my throat and a fog of discouragement hovering over my mind and heart. Why am I here? Orlando and the International Christian Retailers Show? I arrived in the wee hours on Sunday morning and have only left my hotel room to venture to a nearby pharmacy […]Ginny L. Yttrup
- Keeping Up April 27, 2012I often read the daily selections from Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. I like the way Chambers’ cuts to the quick: “Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him (April 23).” Last night, like many nights of late, I didn’t sleep. It’s a season of […]Ginny L. Yttrup
A dear friend, Joy, often told me (in her wonderful British accent!) that the definition of a perfectionist is, “One who takes great pain in whatever they do….and gives great pain to others!” This blog is a timely reminder to me, a perfectionist, that I will “never have a perfect day!” If I carry this predetermined fact with me, and even rest and take comfort in it, I would live in greater freedom this side of Heaven. 😉
Wow, this is definitely something I needed to read. I often struggle with my self perceived inadequacies in trying to please God. I know that last sentence is all wrong because we are justified and it’s the Holy Spirit who makes us pleasing to God. But still, knowing it in your head is didn’t from knowing it in your heart, and vice versa. Perfectionism comes in and tells me, you don’t pray enough, you don’t share your faith enough, you don’t do enough volunteer work…you’re not good enough to be called a Daughter of the Most High. Well, I guess sometimes we need to remember, God called me and I answered, so I
guess that’s all I need.
Jenna,
I can definitely relate to what you’ve shared! It is a lifelong journey to depend on God rather than myself! May you find relief today in His great and utterly sufficient grace!
Blessings, Janet
Lily,
What a great quote! And an insightful reminder of the effect perfectionism has on those around us.
I’ve heard it said that the biblical call to perfection implies a journey, keeping our toes pointed in the right direction, not an arrival. May you walk confidently, and in freedom, today!