11 Comments
User's avatar
Hippie Preacher's avatar

I jotted some thoughts down this morning about how people say “just be yourself” but Jesus says be new! Love how you unpacked that perspective. ✌🏼

Expand full comment
Harlow Lennox Snow's avatar

I want to be BETTER than myself. That’s the whole point. The world stops at “just be yourself.” The Bible tells us different.

Expand full comment
Heidi Leach's avatar

God's timing is always perfect timing!

Surrender was a hard thing to do, especially since I was taught and expected to be the strong one. When there was ANY sign of weakness, the criticism and judgment came at me full force.

But, God's grace and love and mercy is always good. I am no longer "struggling" with surrendering to Christ, now I'm learning how to surrender to Christ! Following Christ was hard at first. I thought I was when, actually I was acting on my own, believing what I was doing was what He wanted me to do. But I was soon reminded that His disciples spent 1.5 years following, listening and learning from Jesus Christ before He sent them out on their first mission. Then another year and a half up to His crucifixion. I realized then that He would never send me on a mission before I was truly ready. That realization changed everything!

There is so much more to my personal story, but I will leave it here by saying this, When we believe God and follow the Son, we will be happier and have peace with all of our choices!

Expand full comment
Christine Rhyner's avatar

Imitation resonated with me. In all the years before I accepted Christ (and some after) I've thought if only I could be like _____ all will be well. God created me uniquely. I share the same identity in Christ as other believers but not the same gifts, abilities, temperament & calling. Thanks for writing. Have a blessed day!

Expand full comment
Beth O’Bryant's avatar

I’ve been reading the Streams in the Desert devotional and this morning’s smacked me hard. The gist is that we read about grace and we know what the Bible says about grace & following & new creation but we don’t do our part of the work so God can do His for our transformation.

I teach it, I know what God says about grace & who I am in Him yet am not always sure I believe it applies fully to me. What the heck. I resonated with your list of lies. My feelings get in the way of truth and allow the lie to feel like reality. Thanks for the steps on where to start. Maybe it’s a season. Maybe it’s hard because I’m finally really seeing the Peter in me and want to be 100% real with Jesus but am scared of it. Whatever it is, I know the time has come.

Thanks for “listening”.

Expand full comment
Chris McKinney's avatar

That's great, Beth. I think there's a bit of Peter in all of us. It takes time for the Spirit to soften our hearts and mold us into who we really are in Christ. Keep pressing in. 😊

Expand full comment
Joan Spilman's avatar

Good article!

Expand full comment
Sean K. Shahkarami's avatar

I love the quote about Peter, I busted out laughing, "He denied Jesus to a middle school girl and ran."

I shouldn't laugh, though, becuase it made me think how many things did I believe were giants that I ran away from when in reality God was inviting me to show off His glory - but like you said its also about timing! Really appreciate your work, Chris!

Expand full comment
Chris McKinney's avatar

Thanks Sean.

Expand full comment
Malisa's avatar

I appreciated this… great reminder of what Gods truth and our own. I’ve been so programmed to be self-sufficient, independent and capable on my own… it’s hard to let that all down! But everyday, I desire to surrender and die to myself and live for Him only!!

Thank you for this!

Expand full comment
Judy Cress's avatar

Thank you very much for this lesson, it really spoke to me.

Expand full comment