It’s that rotten little thing inside of us that never has enough marshmallows in our Lucky Charms. The selfish lust for more, and more, and then some more. Our inability to just be okay with what we have.
Addictions live here. This is the place where we cope with our discomforts by grabbing a drug of choice; alcohol, porn, nicotine, pain killers, sex, compulsive spending, speed, binge-eating, thrill-seeking…
…all to numb the things that we think we can’t deal with, consciously or subconsciously.
We grab for something, anything, that we believe will fulfill us…and we don’t even care if it’s temporary. There’s always tomorrow, and we can just grab for it again. Before we know it, we can’t live without our little helper. Deep in our minds, we “need” to have something more. We think to ourselves, I can do anything with God…well…God and a cigarette.
The progression can get ugly and before long, we’re not really depending on God at all. It’s all about us and the tools we can find to make it through the day. This is all a part of our human condition.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
One of Jesus’ disciples, Paul, wrote this to the people of Philippi:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. // Philippians 4:12-13
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Everything.
I can be content with what I have because all I have is everything. All I have is God and that’s more than I could ever need. I can be fulfilled in my heart and not be chained to fleeting attempts of wholeness via temporary fixes. I can let go of that secret. I can let go of those behaviors. I can be free.
And somehow this is all connected to a look in the mirror. It’s all connected to being willing to be willing to take a deeper look at ourselves, face our monsters, and kick their asses to the curb. When we allow ourselves to take down our masks and really let someone see the real us…freedom follows. Getting naked is uncomfortable, it’s scary, and it’s putting ourselves out there in a seriously risky way.
James 5:15-16 says, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
This is what it looks like to confess horizontally. It’s much easier to confess vertically because God doesn’t recoil, God doesn’t misunderstand us, God doesn’t hold a grudge, and God isn’t face to face. It’s way harder to tell your friends or your spouse or your parents that you’ve blown it.
But it’s necessary.
Sometimes it’s forced. Sometimes you get busted and there’s just no denying it. There’s no way you can get away from it. I believe that one of God’s greatest acts of mercy is when He busts us in our sin…when something gets ripped open, it’s painful. We don’t always know if we’re going to make it through, but God is a strange character. Just when we think we’re going to drown, we find ourselves sinking into an ocean of grace. Peace. Truth. Authenticity. Transparency. Freedom.
My prayer is that you would stop thinking about making a change. Go ahead and make the change.
We are all disgustingly human and we slip up. We do things that we’ve judged others for. We lower our standards and we become people that we don’t want to be. God has enough grace in His back pocket to cover all of these things. He loves us just as we are, and He loves us so much that He’s not willing to let us stay there. So let’s move. Don’t talk about it…be about it.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. // Romans 8:1-2
Grace and Peace to you.
36 Comments
Amen! I can tell what’s on our minds this week…did you read my blog from a few days ago? Wow, what a firestorm of comments I got on FB from putting my “need” for “stuff” out there…Confession brings freedom! Great post!
{reply}
No post for a few days (understandable with a new little one!) and back with a bang. Thank you for this post and the confirmation it brings. Grace and peace to you too.
{reply}
man…I’m not a christian and my life is sooo different than yours but you really spoke to me with this. truly. thanks. and may His Blessings be upon you.
{reply}
Could you give us a little warning before you pull out a hammer like that one? Fantastic stuff!
{reply}
Just what I needed. Great stuff…posting a link to my FB world!
{reply}
Great post - I will share it with a friend who really needs some positive words right now. Thanks for the inspiration!!
{reply}
Great word… again!
{reply}
Thanks.
Needed to hear that today.
{reply}
Wow! Poignant as always. Thanks!
{reply}
Thanks again Ryan! I love how God uses your blog to teach me!
{reply}
My God, man, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! I’ve needed these posts! Always on time. Always, always always.
Tell Finn he’s gotta start sharing his dad more often
{reply}
Thanks for this inspiring post!!
{reply}
Awesome post. Reel them in Pastor Ryan!
{reply}
Thank you so much for this post. This is the juicy truths I love to dig into and read about!! Love it so much!!
{reply}
Somehow, you always manage to post something directly to me. I mean I know that it’s not meant for me but it so is…
{reply}
Wonderful post, and the timing is excellent.
{reply}
Wow, after such a powerful message, I didn’t expect the unnecessary profanity. that just knocked all the inspiration that I was getting from the message out of me. Hmm, I’m confused now.
{reply}
I love our GOD. He is so big and mighty. He brings a word of encouragement just when I need it. He has never failed me.
I praise Him in thought in word, in deed.
I love you JESUS.
{reply}
That is a great post, I needed the attitude adjustment today.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
{reply}
Ouch…It always hurts when you rip off the bandage. I echo the comments above, great post.
{reply}
This is exactly why I love the sacrament of confession! I love that God provided such a redemptive and cleansing sacrament for his church. I know you and I would disagree about some doctrinal issues, which isn’t troublesome, but it’s great to see that ancient principles of the church, abandoned by some Protestant denominations, are seen for what they are by people like you in various denominations of Christianity. Thanks for a great reminder, from an Eastern Orthodox sister.
{reply}
I identified and cried. I worry too much about fitting in with everyone else. Then I judge others for doing the same and measuring self-value in terms of possessions…
{reply}
Great stuff, perfect timing.
{reply}
My heart needed this right here, right now, blessed that I stop by - immediatley cried. Thank you.
{reply}
Amen!
{reply}
Wow! I am touched….
{reply}
I’ve missed your virtual sermons. I wish I could meet you and hear them in person. Thank you for the message.
Now go hug your kids and kiss your wife.
{reply}
Well said Ryan!
{reply}
Wow! I think I will print this out so I can read it when I need to remember this. Also great idea #5 think I will do the same.
God worked through you today Ryan!
{reply}
“don’t talk about it…be about it.” Thanks Ryan, that is exactly the kick in the arse I needed this morning. Kim
{reply}
You have an amazing gift for giving rather than preaching. Thank you for this…very much needed.
{reply}
I am so loving your blog. I keep telling my husband that he needs to read it. Thank you for keeping it real!
{reply}
I love this part of you. The open and sentimental part that slaps the reader right in the face! Gently-of course.
Keep it up!
{reply}
Ryan,
You have no idea what this post means to me and my husband.
We almost lost our marriage a month ago.
I have a blog post called “A Miracle From God” that summarizes my experience with death to my old self and freedom in Christ in my new self!
Thank you for posting this.
{reply}
Thank you for sharing this. After a particularly humbling weekend I appreciate your reminder that all is not lost.
{reply}
We’re invited to live the abundant life — knowing it’s not found in things and that the journey that leads there is found inside each of us as we kneel before Him. In our quest to find self, we discover the heart that beats within us is not ours but His. May each of us in prayer consciously participate in the unity found in Him. And may His peace and grace be with you.
{reply}