Struggle

I've been thinking a lot about how influential we are, and how we don't live in light of that truth. I've struggled recently with dealing with guilt over people I have hurt. We hear sermons about how to deal with people hurting us, but what about being the one that inflicts hurt on someone else? My heart breaks to think of the countless people that I have torn down, discouraged, talked down to, judged, stereotyped, labeled, misrepresented Christ to. I know I've been a tool for deep hurt in the lives of a lot of people. Satan has tried to convince me that because of my shortcomings and failures, I cannot be fruitful in my pursuit of Christ's glory. The truth is, Christ is above and beyond any mistake that I have made or will ever make, no matter how royal of a mistake it may be. There are days that I only hold on to this hope by a thread, but my grip even on that thread is unshakable. If you're like me, and you struggle with having hurt others, DON'T GIVE UP. He uses those of us who fall into the murk and mire. His Love Endures Forever. Forever. Forever.

Some thoughts...

So, I'm becoming addicted to a lot of country music. That is a story in and of itself, but I just wanted to share some thoughts I've had about the chorus of this song:

Someday maybe somebody will love me like I need
And someday I won't have to prove cause somebody will see
All my worth, but until then I'll do just fine on my own
With my cigarettes and this old dirt road

Far too often I take the hope that I have in Christ for granted. I forget what it's like to be lost. I don't know how so many people do it, going through each day without the purpose and passion that He brings. I take His love for granted. I don't have to wait for "someday" like in the song. I am loved beyond what I will ever need by my amazing Father. His love never fails. God is crazy about us, His children. Find hope in that today. It's the truth, and it is powerful. There's my very abbreviated version of what this song makes me think. :o)