Nothing Will Ever Work Unless You Do

That's a quote by Maya Angelou. I don't know why she is famous... except that Oprah really likes her. This quote draws me in, works me over and spits me out. For more than one reason, I hate this quote; for its complexity, its truth, its lies, the way it describes my life and rebukes my life in the same instance. I am a legalist. I am very often a pharisee. I am also a prodigal from time to time. When it comes to my walk with Christ, so often it becomes something I am ashamed of.

A Typical To Do List

1. Read the Bible
2. Pray
3. Fast
4. Evangelize
5. Work on not being legalistic.

How backwards is that? My pastor shared a great analogy on Sunday that shed so much light on the shame I have. I acquire my dream house. It is beautiful. There are rooms filled with comfy couches and chairs for my friends and family to fellowship. It has gardens and pools and views and I love it! But I need to build a driveway to connect the house to the road. It should really be a gorgeous driveway to match the house it leads to so I spend a lot of time on paving the road, planting flowers on either side, I even put a bridge in to go over the creek that flows in the front yard. I am finally done so I invite you over. As we reach the driveway I ask you to park. I just HAVE to show you the driveway I have spent so much time working on. I show you the stones I imported from Italy. You seem very impressed by the rose bushes. And by the time we get to the bridge (which I am sure you love!) we realize its been 2 hours and we have to get going. We never actually get to the house. The driveway is important. But only because it leads to the house.

God is the house. He is the place of fellowship, love and joy. The driveway is what gets us there each day; reading scripture, praying, fasting, etc. All of these things are so important. But only because they lead us to the Father. This has broken open a big part of my legalism but if I am completely honest, I have a LONG road ahead. But only because I know my flesh... It really is so easy. He is there. He is eager. He loves me right where I am. Just as if I never sinned. Just as if I always obeyed. Justified. Because of Your blood Jesus. Because of Your gift and sacrifice the Father looks down on me and can say "Well done good and faithful servant." Because You are the good and faithful servant, who stands in my place.