Too Hard on Ourselves??

If you've read the stuff on my blog, book, or previous women's e-letter, you know my content is focused on The Potter's molding and shaping of us as His mounds of clay. That process isn't always pretty, but it is my belief that we are in constant need of shaping. Now, I've sometimes been accused of "being too hard on myself," by my own mother, no less! But the bottom line is, I haven't arrived (and I don't think I'm the only one)!

To my mom's point, though, we can become "too hard on ourselves." I believe it's possible to be participating in the journey of becoming like Christ, yet rest in a state of gloom and possibly self-loathing. On this end of the spectrum, we begin to say, "I'll never measure up," "I couldn't possibly please my Heavenly Father," "I fail again and again." It's here we are immobilized to doing the work He's called us to do and it's here our lights are certainly not shining.

On the other end of the spectrum, however, you've got the over-emphasis on self-esteem--a complete satisfaction with who you are, with no notion of your sinful nature that needs taming and no acceptance that the Creator may have some special modifications in mind for your Mary Poppins personality.

Isn't that where Satan wants us to be? If we see no need for God's molding, we remain in our natural unholy state, don't we?

This is what today's culture promotes, in quite an overt manner I might add. Though it is pronounced greatly in secular media, it has quietly seeped into the hallowed halls of the church as well. "God made me who I am..." Yes, indeed, He did. He also told us, "There is none righteous, no not one"(Romans 3:10; Psalm 14:3) He also told us, "He is the Potter and we are His clay" (Isaiah 64:8). He created the distinct characteristics in all of us that He may shape us, within that bent, to be more like Him...if we are pliable.

That brings us to balance. Balance is where we recognize we are, in fact, wretched sinners in need of saving grace. We realize it's only through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit that "we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Balance is also a place where we recognize God has told us to, "Be joyful always" (1 Thes. 5:16). A place where Jesus has called us "The light of the world. A city on a hill..." (Matt. 5:14).  He made His light shine in our hearts (2 Cor. 4:6). Though we are being transformed, we must do that with our lights on. I can be aware of my wretchedness without Christ, yet still shine for His glory, acknowledging it's His power at work in me (Col. 1:29) that produces anything of value.