More than a performance

I think we can all agree that we live in a society that is primarily based around performance. I'm not going to sit here and bash on our performances with day to day tasks.  In fact, I think our performance with getting a job done is very important; in proper context.  Nevertheless, it can get pretty overwhelming.  Personally, I do NOT perform well under pressure.  In fact, the more I focus on trying to get a job done correctly, the more I will rush, the more anxious I will feel, and the more likely I am to mess up.

The solution?  Don't focus so hard on performing the task quickly and carelessly.  Just take it one step at a time and focus on getting it done well.

This is very straight forward: to a T.  But how do we apply this logic with
our walks with Christ?  What about the way we go about spreading the gospel to our coworker or the way we try to show Jesus to a friend who may not know Him yet?

I don't know about you, but as a Christian, I used to struggle immensely with overthinking about my performance to the people around me.  In essence, instead of letting the Holy Spirit work through me, I tried to take the initiative and did the cookie cutter "Christian things" myself.  In other words, I did what I considered to look "good enough"to the people around me.  I ended up putting the approval of my peers above the approval of the Lord.  Ouch, right?

"Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.  But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."  Romans 14:22-23 [NIV] 

What I eventually realized after some strong conviction (thank you Jesus) is that there is no freedom living like that.  There is no relationship living like that.  They call it a walk with Christ for a reason.  There is no rush, this isn't like running a marathon.  It isn't about who can get to the finish line of "holiness" quicker than the next person.  I was so consumed in looking the part that I didn't let God work through me and transform me properly; which takes time and a lot of patience.  I wanted the control in the way I thought would be quick and successful.  Boy, I was so wrong.  The truth is God will use you, work through you, and will minister to people through you only if you have enough patience to allow Him to do so.  His timing, His way, His everything. 

Life isn't a stage.  Life is a gift and I believe we need to use the precious time we have on earth as wisely as possible.  We are called to come together as the body of Christ and show the transformation Jesus did in you to our peers around us.  Not for approval, not so we can boast about how "good we are," not for attention, but because Jesus' power is so real, His love is so authentic, unlike anything we can comprehend.  It is our faith in Him that granted us this beautiful gift of His grace and eternal life!  Share the authenticity of Jesus because HE is the source of all that is good!

"For it is by grace, you have been saved through faith- this is not from yourselves but it is a gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 [NIV]

Don't reflect on your life and see how well you "performed" as a Christian, but ponder in awe of the fact that Jesus is continuously working on you and changing your heart so radically to use you for His glory and the expansion of His heavenly kingdom!  

"Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." 

Romans 8:1-2 [NIV]