Such Relief

I read this passage the other day, and was so struck by the "out" it offers.  Such relief in not having to work to make myself respectable.

Hebrews 9:15 (The Message)

"Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God."

Take the Mercy, Accept the Help

This passage encouraged me deeply when I read it yesterday, as I pondered some of the things going on in my life, and I wanted to share.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message)
"Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."

The Pigs Like It

I had to chuckle at this post on Michael Hyatt's blog the other day.

Especially the following quote:

"Don't wrestle with pigs.  You both get dirty, and the pigs like it."

It made me laugh ruefully, and then pause.

I think in the midst of the difficult couple of weeks I've been having, I've probably wrestled a few of my own personal pigs.  Dumb idea.

And not an idea particularly conducive to healing.

I know the quote (at least in the context that Hyatt used it) is referring to other people, but sometimes I think my thoughts are my own biggest critics.  How often do I wrestle with pigs brought on by pride, fear, anger, and even physical health issues, instead of choosing to abstain?  How often do I forget that passage in Hebrews that reminds me to "fix my eyes on Jesus"? 

In the New Living Translation of that verse (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus is described as "the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."

Huh.

Maybe if I remembered that, I'd do a little less pig wrestling.

Because after all, the pigs like it.  And I don't.