From Self-assured to God-focused

I was very self-reliant, thinking I was good enough to do everything on my own and better than anyone else.

In school, I never studied but always got good grades. I looked down on other students who struggled with what we were being taught.

The gospel taught me that I wasn’t good enough on my own to earn God’s favor. I was a sinner, in need of grace.

Now that I have eternal life, I am free to do good things just to thank Him for mercy and grace, not to try to earn His love. And when I do things I shouldn’t, I know I am not useless or unworthy of His good favor on my life.

This has resulted in me being more willing to try things that I’m not automatically good at the first time, as though God had given me certain talents or gifts that I could do perfectly, and that I shouldn’t do anything else. I love music, and I love expressing my faith and the gospel in song, but I’m not a great singer or guitar player. But, with God’s mercy and grace, it only matters that I do it for His glory and let Him use it as He will (and allow the practice to slowly help me grow in skill and confidence).

Some time to have opportunities to tell His story through my own while I’m here on earth is a blessing. And once this life is over, to enjoy His eternal rest gathered around the throne is my forever home.