selfishness

Sin and Forgiveness (digital art)

/ megsnotions / 2 Comments

Sin and Forgiveness (digital art)

I felt inspired to make this tonight. Remember that no matter what you have done, you can come to God. You were bought with a high price- the blood of God’s beloved (and sinless) son. Because of what Christ did, we can now come to God. We don’t deserve grace. But God loves us more than we can even imagine.

God forgives. We are more than our past mistakes because of what Christ has done. Now let us strive to show His love and grace to the world.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)

Break apart and break His heart?

/ megsnotions / Leave a comment

As a dog returns to its vomit, we too often return to the things that lead us astray.

God is right there with open arms and yet we return to the filth that shines like those cheap pieces of jewelry we sometimes wore as children.

God is better than real diamonds and gemstones yet we return to the cheap plastic.

It doesn’t matter to society if we are real. It only matters if we can look how they want and play the part.

Even in our youth we try hard to fit in however we can.

We paint pretty masks on our faces and build walls around us so that no one can see the real person inside. We pursue matters of this world in attempts to satisfy our heart’s longings.

By the time we step into adulthood, our walls are so tall and sturdy that almost no one can see within.

But God sees. He sees right past our “clever” disguises and fortified walls. He beckons us to come to Him.

He knows our needs. He knows we need Him.

Yet we turn away, slapping the face of our Savior again.

We’re too messed up and flawed for society, so we assume we are too messed up for God.

We crumble inside our fortified walls and cling to all our flaws and the temporary pleasures of this world that will never satisfy.

We are the prodigal children who have left the Father to chase after what this world has to offer us.

Yet…God is still calling us. God is still standing there with open arms. Will we finally turn to Him for help? Or will we continue to break apart and break His heart?

Greed

/ megsnotions / Leave a comment

Greed.

It is the never satisfied black hole of wanting.

It devours people like a lion devours prey.

Most of the time we do not give much thought to our greed. Our society so often portrays the idea that more is better. The media is littered with advertisements and messages about how you, the viewer, need some specific product to be happy or healthy. People are always striving for more. We go on a shopping trip to satisfy our momentary longing and in the end, our closets burst at the seams and our cupboards are filled to the brim. Yet soon after, we find ourselves longing for that new outfit, new snack item and that new smart phone. More. More. More.

Meanwhile…

Someone looks into their almost empty closest looking for a coat or sweater to keep them warm…but to no avail. Children somewhere own only the clothes on their backs. Someone is worrying about how they will afford food to feed themselves and their family. The cupboards, if they even exist, are bare.

It’s an uncomfortable thought. It’s especially uncomfortable when you remember how in the Bible, Jesus tells us to give to the poor. (And He isn’t talking about a few cans of food or a few bucks here and there although those cans and dollars sure can add up and help).

I’ve always struggled with greed and selfishness. I suppose it’s a part of being human. Still, it’s one of the things I hate most about myself.

More than likely, if you are reading this, you live in a house, have a computer, have Internet access, and probably much more. Heat? Food in the fridge and cupboards? Phone? Books? Extra clothes in your closet? Shoes? Toiletries?

Thought so. And yet, if you are like me, you still have a list of wants a mile long.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this Thanksgiving, let’s keep the thankfulness going. We shouldn’t just be thankful for one Thursday a year. We are blessed with many more things than we need. With the Christmas shopping season already underway and Black Friday right around the corner, let’s remember those that have less. Our shopping trip may satisfy our temporary longings but the only One that can truly satisfy the wants of our hearts is God. I’m not saying it’s bad to have nice things but selfishly focusing getting more of those things all the time is. Greed and a good relationship with God aren’t compatible. Which one will you pick?