This devotion is a must read from one of The Encouragement Cafe Writers … Michelle Axton Kelly … titled Church-zilla Strikes again.
This statement captured me …
“I realized my insistence on creating the “perfect” morning could destroy everything we had. And not only on Sundays. The resentment from those mornings boiled over and impacted how we communicated throughout the week. Or how we didn’t.” – Michelle Axton Kelly
Isn’t this exactly what Satan wants … isn’t it exactly what he desires … to not only ruin our Sunday morning but to ultimately destroy our weeks … our months … our years …
Jesus tells us that … “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” John 10:10 NASB … He is attacking our families first, by seeking those who he may devour. When we open ourselves up to the idea that we can achieve or create a “perfect” anything on our own, outside of the strength of the Lord, we provide him with all the ammo he needs to not only attack but to ultimately destroy our lives.
The last part of that verse says this … “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10 NASB … When we decided to surrender our own agenda of perfection and take up His cross … take up His heart … take up His perfection … and live lives that are consistently choosing to respond and react with actions that serve the purpose of pleasing God instead of achieving perfection … then and only then can we experience that full life … the abundant life Jesus Christ died to give us.
Thank you Michelle for choosing to reveal and name the Church-zilla that resides in so many of us.
I pray that we would all see who is really causing the chaos in our house Sunday mornings, as well as every other morning. It’s not our children. It’s not our husbands. It’s not even the dog. They are simply pawns he’s using … which is why we must actively live out 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Oh God … picture perfect perfection … thank You for inviting us into a relationship with You. One we are active participants in. One we can confidently enter into Your throne room and cast our fears as well as our dreams at Your feet. Lord I pray that You will forgive me for the flawed ways I try to create the appearance of a flawless life. You and I both know what lies behind the facade. Yet … You love me anyways!
Father help me to see when the enemy is near. Help me to be alert, on guard and ready to defend all that You have entrusted me with. Lord it is only through Your mighty strength, Your endless power, Your immeasurable wisdom, and Your accurate discernment that I will be victorious over the enemy. May You … and You alone receive all glory, honor and praise. For it’s in Jesus precious and holy name I pray for all of these things … Amen!
Categories: Encouragement, Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends
Tags: angry, anxious, ashamed, battlezone, berate myself, bittersweet reminder of what could have been, chaos, commitment, Confessions From the Back Pew, demanding perfection, destruction, disappointed, Ecclesiastes 7:8, failures, frustrated, great intentions, grumpy, heart of compassion, intense, less hectic, love, Michelle Axton Kelly, organization, patience, peaceful and happy, pleas to God, refusing to partake, sadness, seeking change, suffering, tears, the purpose of pleasing God, touched our hearts, unhappy, vision
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