one thought that positions me to love

Today is Tuesday — which is valuable information for all of you who, like me, feel like you’re living in that movie Groundhog Day because you never know exactly what day it is because they all feel the same. Anyway, it’s Tuesday. Which means my kids and I are no-teching it. BUT, I’m actually writing this post on Monday, so no need to flog me or anything.

We’re back into our somewhat normal routine after a weekend of living the slightly nomadic life because an ice storm took out our power and lots of neighboring trees. We stayed a night with my sister and a night with my mom because for goodness freakin’ sake, we apparently need noise and warm food or we start to hyperventilate. That’s called sarcasm if you haven’t had your coffee yet.

 

 

When the power came back on I had this moment where it felt like the only right thing would be for me and all my neighbors to start singing and dancing in the streets. Like it was a musical and hope was stirring. But I just waved to the nearest guy standing on his front porch, nodded, and said a quiet “yay”. So much for my moment on imaginary Broadway.

Why am I telling you this? Not sure. Let’s move on.

So during our unexpected weekend away I had a phrase from the previous Sunday’s church service plaguing me. Well, “plague” probably isn’t the right word. Consuming me? Haunting me? Causing me to humbly worship? Yes. That last one. Humble worship.

The pastor said “God is no respecter of persons.” Meaning that He doesn’t reject me because I’m not an Israelite. But He also doesn’t accept me because I do some external, seemingly-righteous thing.

He doesn’t look down and say, “Oh yes, Lara, you really impressed me today with those good deeds.” Or, “You’re really showing me that you deserve this salvation I give.” Or, “Lara, I really respect how well you are serving me. You get a cookie.” Umm, no.

I know that He doesn’t say those things because of two reasons. One, I know me. I know my heart. I know that even when I have the best of intentions, my pride inevitably creeps up and taints whatever it is I’m trying to “do” in His name.

And two, I know that my God is perfectly, completely, and purely holy. And He sees my heart and every motive behind every thought behind every word that comes out of my mouth. Which is why the gospel continues to wreck me.

 

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Acts 10:34-35 KJV

 

The thing that makes us “accepted” before God isn’t our family line or what we do for Him. He’s looking behind our religious, good deeds at the heart. Which means He only accepts us because He is wholly love and wholly grace. He only accepts us as we “fear Him and worketh righteousness,” as it says above.

To fear Him is to say, “You are God, and I am wayyyyy not. You alone are worthy of praise and honor. I worship You as the only perfect One.”

To worketh righteousness as a follower of Christ is to say, “Lord, thank you for Jesus. It’s only because He died and rose as a sacrifice for my sin-sick soul that I’m considered righteous in your presence. I can’t be righteous. I am righteous because of Him. And that completely amazes me. Grow my faith. Use me. Have Your way in me.”

Humble worship.

 

“…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:22-24

 

Remembering who He truly is and who I am in light of His glory does something in me. Mainly, it squashes pride. Because who am I apart from His mercy. And when pride is squashed it positions me to serve and love others regardless of how they may treat me. Because it’s no longer about me. It’s about Him. And they too are just as needy for the grace of God.

He is no respecter of persons. He doesn’t add tally marks by our names — us earning more favor or acceptance in His sight because of what we do or where we’re from. We stand before this God of perfect love by grace through faith alone. And so does everyone else on the planet.

 
Fill me, Lord…

What does it do in you to remember that God is no respecter of persons?
 

Oh and this may be the last time you see me on the blog this week. Most of my “free time” will be spent tying up the loose ends for the talks I’m giving at a conference this upcoming weekend. Prayers for my final preparations are appreciated.