See if this sounds like you.
You’re dialed into making things happen in your life. No one is coming to rescue. You rarely cut yourself some slack. You can’t afford to, you think. Who else will pull you up by your bootstraps?
Or you’re a fixer. If you hear a problem, you’re coming with a solution. And when you don’t have a solution, your brain spends hours rolling it around like a Rubik’s cube – consciously and unconsciously.
Or maybe you just feel the pressure – whether it be from social media, your family or even yourself – to perform. So you’re always doing – hoping to one day “arrive” – but even when you do, the goalpost moves and you’re on to the next “to-do”.
Or maybe you’re a little of all three like me. I tend to be matter-of-fact, business-only. Hobbies? What are those? Vacation? Maybe later. The clock is ticking and we don’t have time to waste. Life is not going to wait for you to find your purpose and get on with it, you know?
The problem with being a little too “tightly wound” is that there tends to be little grace for others and even less for ourselves. If you think I was being hard on you, you should hear how I talk to myself!
The Inspiration for this Blog
A number of years ago at a young adult Bible study, a I young lady mentioned that if there was a word to describe God’s people, “love” would not be the first that came to mind. Yet Jesus had said that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we had for one another. Her critique stuck in my mind. While the world is trying to redefine love to mean acceptance of everything and everybody regardless of the truth (which is entirely a different discussion), the simple fact remains that, in the age of social media where everyone feels the need to give their opinion, the Christian tends to struggles with telling the truth in love.
But how does one do this really? Maybe it has to do with being more honest.
The Need to “Come Clean”
There is an overwhelming need in the body of Christ for authenticity. We’re so used to cleaning up and looking like we have it all together at church and even for the world. When someone falls we’re all surprised and, unfortunately, use the opportunity to speak poorly of that individual. The worse part is that in attempting to look like God has finished His handiwork in our lives the love and grace of God loses it’s effect.
But Paul said that in his weakness, God’s strength is perfected (2 Cor. 12:9). So why are we so afraid to be real about our weaknesses?
So I felt the need to “come clean” so to speak. To talk about the real things that Christians, that all people, go through. Without the platitudes, fake smiles, or self-righteous overtones. I want to be real so that you can know that God’s grace really is sufficient. Because I’m not perfect. Not even close. I serve a God that is. And that is enough.
How I Plan to Do This
Writing was the one thing that I got complements for in my life. I was told I had a gift and that I should use it. I know everyone is saying that blogging is dead and video is the new shiny object. But I’m going to use my gift. I can assure you that AI will never write for me here. This is my experience, my heart laid bare.
Since I am a multi-passionate person, I want to focus on faith, life, business and recommendations. I know that His grace will be revealed in my everyday life.
Full disclosure: One of the ways I want to do this is by documenting the business side of things – including this blog. If there is ever a segment of society that likes to paint a picture of perfection – it’s the business world. And let me tell you, it is WAAYYYY harder than anyone lets on. It’s really easy to lean on your “own understanding” in this realm so learning to rely on His grace as I grow this site and others will be the perfect exhibit.
What I Hope to Accomplish
So this is my attempt to unwind myself in Jesus name. I want to learn more about His grace and apply it to myself, and in turn, show it to those around me. I want a movement in grace that brings individual freedom so that life starts feeling more like the easy yoke and light burden that the Lord promises us.
My hope is that in giving a look under the hood of a flawed Christian life, at admitting to the mess, frustration and confusion, that people will understand that Christianity – even in the Westernized-sense – requires the strength and grace that only comes from God. Because this life is not easy. No matter how nicely we clean up on Sunday.
I’d like to become the person who unwinds a bit and relaxes in the love and grace of my Heavenly Father. And I want that for others like me. Will you join me?
