If you read my post that I kicked off the Lenten season with, then you might recall that I made a couple seasonal resolutions. One of those I just missed yesterday. I had resolved to blog everyday this season. However, the day was long and the after 3 back to back to back meetings last night, I found myself in my bed with the Mac on my chest starting a blog post at 11:00. The problem with that is, it was doomed from the jump as I was WIPED OUT. So the inevitable happened: I fell asleep.
This post isn’t going to be a string of excuses or apologies, but it makes me think of all the times that I’ve made resolutions that were chosen as they would bring my life greater blessing. It seems that temptation to eat desserts is strong, when I give up sweets. It seems anger grows deep when I vow to live with a better attitude. It seems that what I vow to change, is tested and tested often.
The reality is that we have a spiritual enemy that wants us to not only fall but STAY DOWN. He tried it with Jesus in the desert after his 40 days of fasting. This devil tempts us all. However, unlike Jesus we fail. We don’t always fail, but we all fail sometimes.
Is it ok if I offer us some encouragement?
We ARE ALL prone to failure. We are miserable wretched creatures outside of Jesus’ blood that makes us worthy.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ” Romans 3:23 NLT
If you are a believer of Jesus and he has saved you, you are covered, but still sin. You will never be at a place where sin is not part of how you do life, until you reach heaven.
Ok, now that I am done encouraging you, let me give you the brutal truth. We don’t have to be perfect. God doesn’t expect perfection. That is exactly why He came down, put on flesh, and died on the cross for us. Because we COULDN’T be perfect.
“Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:24 NLT
But we are expected to continue striving towards holiness, growing in godliness.
So today, though i failed yesterday, I choose to get back up.
Lent is still real for me, though I slipped. You can lose a battle without losing the war.
Yesterday’s battle goes to my flesh’s desire for sleep, but today I am already winning. Winning as I reflect on my failure and use it to offer encouragement and hope.
God’s grace knows no end and you can find it newly covering you now as you look to him to be strong in your weakness.
Hey!!!!
You can slip, and not fall.
You can fall, and get back up.
You can fail, but not be finished.
You can lose a battle, without losing the war.
Believer,
Keep fighting through the temptations. Jesus empowers you.
Keep your head up facing your resolutions. Jesus empowers you.
Keep defying your enemy. Jesus empowers you.