They're Just like Me

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. James 5:17

We are also men of the same nature as you. Acts 14:15 (Barnabas and Paul)

But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." Acts 10:26 (New American Standard Bible)

Oh, the dangers and pitfalls of becoming enamored with people! Elijah, Barnabas, Paul, and Peter are just a handful among many who would remind me that people are people. I need the reminder because so often I can take a person’s sterling moments and believe THAT is the way they are 24/7. In my mind, they no long struggle, make wrong choices, live out of their flesh, fall to temptation, think wrong thoughts, feel negative emotions, disappoint God, themselves or others, or sin in any number of other ways. Not only is that kind of thinking far from the truth, but it sets me up with false hope. The false hope of, “If they can do it, so can I.” Then when I fail to live that way, confusion and discouragement sets in.

A few years ago I joined a study entitled “Woman of Significance” based on the book The Search for Significance by Robert McGee. As I listened to some of the women I began to think they were assuming if they went through this book they would eventually be free of fear, approval seeking, guilt, performance-based living, and any other malady in their life. It took me back to the time when I learned that God’s love was not dependent on what I was doing. As I listened to speakers and read books, I began to think the mature Christian life means “no struggles, no failures, just victory!” I actually thought I could reach that point this side of Heaven. What followed was a few years of continual reality checks!

What I learned and what I shared with the women in the study group was that living the victorious Christian life did not mean I would no longer struggle with my mind, will, and emotions. It meant I knew Who to go to each time I struggled. It meant I felt safe to confide in and cry with God. It meant I could walk and talk with authenticity and transparency instead of continual masking and hiding. Simply put, it meant I was human but helped and held by an incredible God!

There are still times I find myself being enamored with individuals, but God is faithful to remind me that they too have feet of clay and must continue to practice daily the truths He is showing them. Balance has come with the removal of my rose-colored glasses.

Father, seeing others as people like myself encourages me. Help me to not look down on or up to individuals but to simple look across at them. Help me to keep my eyes on You. Amen.

Only You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmezEn-zvE

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.