BLOG: INFO & INSIGHTS

At The Journey I get the opportunity to have lots of conversations with people...a wide variety of people. Many people weren't in church before, some were. I talk to people who are married, single, students, older, younger, etc. People who have great jobs, and people who hate their job. But something I have been finding in common with most people is how they see themselves in their relationship God.

Let me begin by sharing this...One of the things we communicate over and over is that we can have a relationship with Jesus through forgiveness. It is grace...a gift that we don't deserve. We put our faith and trust in Jesus and in what he did for us, receive forgiveness, and begin to follow him. It is one step at a time, growing and taking steps. But in all that, so often, we still believe and sometimes tell ourselves that we have to get to a certain level, or reach a certain level of goodness to be accepted by God, or even to be used by God. I sometimes hear people say... "I can't get baptized because I don't have it all figured out yet" ...or "I can't help someone else take steps because I still have questions"... or "I'm not perfect so how can I make a difference with other people".

Have you ever felt that way? I have...and lots of people do. So, is it true? Do we have to get it all figured out, remove all doubt and questions, and be perfect? What do you think? I'd love to hear any thoughts you have. But I'll follow up with more next time.

Mark Rhodes