My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son, except the Father. And no one knows the Father, except the Son and those whom the Son chooses to tell. Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.
Matthew 11:27-29 (NCV)
We can often focus on our shortcomings and fall into the “if only” trap. We can get stuck in the idea of what if we read our Bible more or what if we pray more often. We can think what if we volunteered more time or helped more people. What if we managed our finances better or what if we were more disciplined in our behavior.
God loves us just the way we are (but this is not an excuse to stay where we are). He knew that we could never become sinless on our own. He knows we are sinners who are in need of a Savior. Instead of us trying to be better on our own, we can know that God accepts us just as we are. He is waiting for us with arms wide open, ready to forgive us when we ask.
Prayer:
God, thank you for loving me just as I am. Thank you for sending a Savior so I can be in a relationship with you. Help me to remember to accept others the way that you have accepted me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.