"How to be all you've dreamed of"

From derrach.blogspot.com - 7/29/07

Well, if you read the "about me" portion of my myspace page recently you can tell that I'm in a bit of a sarcastic mood. Let me do my best to explain here without getting too red in the face (well, I guess you can't see my face, so I'll get as red as I want.)

This world is a very broken place. All of us know this and the reason we know it so well is not because of what is around us, IT'S BECAUSE OF WHAT'S INSIDE OF US! Yes, I said it...read on if you aren't already put off.

One place that this obvious brokenness is evident is in "profiles." You know these digital pictures we paint of ourselves here, on myspace, and other "social" websites like Facebook, friendsters, xanga, xianz and also the dozens of internet dating sites out there. These profiles are "all about you" and it's amazing how many good, decent, caring, thoughtful, fun, attractive, wondeful and downright perfect people are out there. Most of the time we spend this space bragging about our accomplishments, touting our wonderful participation in worthwhile efforts or even better, "humbly" proclaiming that we're really "not that big of a deal." ALL THE WHILE WE'RE SINFUL, PRIDEFUL, IMPERFECT, SELF-CENTERED, UNLOVING AND BROKEN PEOPLE.

Now I know it's just a cultural thing and that no one is really "bragging" about themselves, they just want others to know who they are by reading a paragraph and that's no big deal. Really that's not so much my point. My point is that we don't spend any time admitting our sins (most people would use the word "weaknesses" or "flaws" there but I've just decided to use the real word). We dedicate these pages and often our lives to promoting the good in us and rarely admit or reveal the bad. We all know it's there because it's what comes out on accident or during the times no one sees or when we're outside of our circle of friends. It's the ugliness deep in our souls that just won't go away no matter how "possitive" we think or how many self-esteem mantras we chant. All of this has to point us in one direction, the direction we won't go on our own as long as we're focusing on all the "good" stuff in our lives.



That direction my friends is UP.



All of the ugliness and brokenness of our souls leads us to look toward the Cross of Jesus Christ for our salvation. He alone can redeem this broken life and he alone can save our sorry souls. It's in the realization of all of this brokenness and sin in our lives that makes Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, so absolutely unbelievable and beautiful. Who would ever love this wrech, who could forgive all of this mess, and what kind of power would it take to make it all right?




The answer is simple.




The answer is Jesus.




We are not good people. Jesus is good, perfect.

We cannot save ourselves. Jesus has saved us and is saving us.

We seldom think of others. Jesus is constantly praying for us.

We want to be liked and appreciated. Jesus was spit on and betrayed.

We want to be recognized for the good we've done. Jesus was killed for the good he did.

All of our imperfections, weaknesses and sins point to the perfection, strength and glory of Jesus Christ. I just can't help but saying that I love him more now than I ever have before...now that I've realized that I'm weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed and that he is more loving and accepting than I ever dared to hope.
(the last portion of that paragraph must be credited to Tim Keller, found at monergism.com)