Fear God, not failure.

So, last night at small group we started our conversation about Ragamuffin Gospel- the book we just started reading together.  We were talking about grace- the grace of God- and how it is hard to fully grasp for so many reasons whether it is how we have presented with religion in the past, or how society is all about quick-fixes and can't stand the thought of not having a formula for salvation or any other number of things.  Krystle said it nicely when she said that we as humans like things orderly, we like answers, we like categories, labels, directions, step by step power points, but grace is messy.  This is not to say that there is no right or wrong, for there is.  But Jesus came and blew the minds of the religious who thought for sure their rules and discipline would be the most pleasing to God and earn them a place in Heaven.  I mean Jesus ate with tax collectors- the sinners! We got to talking about how whether intentionally or not, many of us have felt that the church as an institution as made us feel like we aren't good enough.

I could on about that a little more, but it led me into thinking about how I beat myself up a lot for my "failures".  Then I got to thinking about the nature of my failures and realized, not only was I not letting grace sink into me, my failures were not even about not being spiritually amazing enough, they were failures to meet my own crazy expectations.  This equates a grace problem and an idol problem.  

Thats when the phrase "fear God, not failure" came to mind.  This addresses both sides of my problem.  Mackenzie, don't fear failing your own (or someone else's) standards more than God's.  But also note while I said fear God, I didn't say "be perfect" or even "try to be perfect at all times".  I mean fear in the sense of reverence.  Know that He is very very powerful but loves you with an equally powerful love.  Respect that.  Be in awe of that, and it will sink into your soul and give you the strength to be content in whatever situation, and the desire to be fruitful. 

Gosh I'm thankful for grace.  I think I'll have more to say on this soon.