Every Thursday I feature a “throwback” post from my blog archive. The goal is to look back and discover new lessons or opportunities to grow. This week, we’ll look at “Wash Your Face.” You can view the original post here. For today, here’s a quick recap and a few more thoughts about the pressure to look like we have it all together… 

Like in the original post, my youngest still has to memorize scripture for school. These days she’s learning longer and longer passages and has a few entire chapters of scripture memorized. Additionally, she’s still a bit of a mess. She’s a high-energy kid who just loves to get dirty. My wife and I prefer to keep the outdoors… outdoors. For the little one, what belongs inside versus outside is always a matter of debate. 

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What I love about her through all of this is that she doesn’t ever interact with my wife or me based on how dirty she is. She could be covered from head to toe in mud and we’re still just mom and dad. Her level of messiness has never prevented her from wanting to come home at the end of the day. She knows that even when she’s a mess, she can come home, and we’ll help her take care of the rest. 

What about you? What is your response when your life is a little messy? Do you run toward God, or do you pull away? Do you lean into His love and let him help you clean it up or do you fall away in fear thinking he’s going to punish you? As a pastor, I often hear people say things like, “I’ve got to get some things taken care of before I can go to church.” Translation: I’ve got to clean up before I come home. 

Hear me when I say this: Nothing could be further from the truth. We don’t need to clean up before we come to Jesus. He’s where we go to get clean. Matthew 11 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

So many of us are burdened by sin and heavy-laden with guilt. And unfortunately, we are trying to carry it on our own. We weren’t designed for this. We were designed to be in a life-giving, burden-lifting, guilt-free, relationship with Jesus. It is that relationship that lifts those burdens. It is that relationship that gives us the strength and the discipline to break those bad habits and sin patterns that have held us back from Him. 

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We don’t need to clean up before we come to
Jesus. He’s where we go to get clean.

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There is an enemy who wants you to believe you are not good enough for Jesus. The truth is, we aren’t. But thanks to Jesus and His sacrifice, we can be made clean and acceptable. So, don’t worry about trying to wash your face or clean up your act before you come to Him. Just come home and let Him take care of the rest. 

Our stories are what shape us and reveal our purpose. I wrote a book called “Magic in the Mug” about this very subject. It’s filled with such stories and is all about they can help us discover a life of purpose. I’d love your help getting this book out into the world! Visit magicinthemug.com to find out more about the book and how you can be part of the team!