Who We Are (Who We Can Be)
I like the topic of Who we are? and Who We Can Be? I got the following quote some time back from the C.S. Lewis Daily Twitter feed, and it moved me so time to talk on it.
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”-C.S. Lewis
I would also add I found out how bad I was when I ran from God 1991-1993,
Being good is infinitely hard when we see he said be good and not act good. Acting good long term or 24/7 is also very hard, but being good is a shocking challenge and can lead us to pretending. Lord, help us not to pretend.
Trying to be good in this sense can lead us all to see how bad we are. We may think sin is a small thing until we try hard to Be Good.
Who Are We – Professional Strugglers
I have said before that at the Cross, I can see how bad I am. Last week, Jo got mad at me, and I got mad at her. We moved to cold war. My heart said, “Hmmph, I will just sleep in the spare bedroom.” By the time I started practically moving in that direction, I paused and went to our bedroom where Jo was. Understandably, I was still mad, but trying to come back. I brushed my teeth. She said she did not want to say sorry. We started to fix it then and by morning we could feel connected again.
My heart was totally committed to the spare bedroom (which has no bed by the way). My heart was so dark. What is that? Jo’s goodness is unmistakable. Yet I want to fight to this degree when she crosses me. God help us know just how bad we are and see You.
My daughter wanted the dining table wiped down each morning when I cleared it. She told me many times. Despite this, I would just clear the main stuff and think good enough day after day. Finally, she said, “Daddy, why can’t you do it the way I want it?” Ashamed, I then changed, mostly.
I read the Bible most every day. However, darkness is always at my door. Guess some of you can nod too. On earth, we always struggle as the downward pull is continuous.
In my struggle against this downward pull, I surely see how bad I really am. Let’s keep trying very hard. At the Cross, I am a horrible sinner and deeply loved at the same time. so we happily struggle toward Him who is calling us.