Had a short conversation last week that speaks volumes to Christians. This post will be particularly helpful to those who have been Christians for a few years. The conversation was about one’s struggles, shortcomings, and downfalls. It’s the falling, failing, frustration, and everything else bundled into it what leaves us empty, discouraged, and needy. The person explained a recent rough patch, but was thankful this week was going better. The person also shared how God used others to bring timely reminders about the breadth of God’s mercy and grace which sweep through our needy souls.
What sticks out in my mind is the affinity I had with the person. What the person was experiencing is shockingly relatable. It’s the painful “poor in spirit” from Matthew 5:3. It’s the widening gap we experience as we continue on towards maturity. It’s the gap between human sinfulness and God’s holiness. The chasm grows as we grow in Christ. We are made increasingly aware of our sinfulness as we learn more and more about God’s holiness. It is actually a gracious act of God for us to be made actuely aware of this gap. Awareness of our sin and this gap makes us more needy for God. (And may I say as we learn this lesson many times over our need for God becomes more and more REAL.) It is this growing realization of our neediness for God which will allow for further spiritual growth to take place. May God give you grace and make you poor in spirit. Be encouraged as you grow into realization of the self-made chasm of sin is also the same chasm that Jesus crossed to restore you.
