For ALL Have Sinned

Something has been on my heart for the past 12 hours. Actually, it hasn't been on my heart, it's been nagging my thoughts nonstop. It's been pulling at my heartstrings like its about to fall off a cliff. Seriously, this thing won't leave me alone.

How do I become an approachable Christian while still maintaining an appropriate lifestyle? When people see my life they compare it with their giant list of things they mess up at and they categorize me as "perfect". Well, we all know I ain't perfect, but why would anyone want to listen to me tell them about Jesus when they see me as the girl who does no wrong? They think I can't relate. They don't want me to know the truth. They're afraid I'll judge them. They're afraid their sin is just too big.

While I live my whole life judging as little as I can, people still seem to feel this way. They feel like they can't compare. How can I bring someone to Jesus when I'm stuck like this?

I've been trying to think of ways to make myself relatable. I obviously don't want to sin in public ways in order to show that I don't actually have it all together. Right now I feel like the best thing to do is share with others struggles that I've had in my life or that I'm going through now. I can tell them how horrible I am at handling stress. Or that I procrastinate. Or that sometimes I just don't feel like getting out if bed - for no reason at all.

Jesus never sinned, yet he was able to reach everyone. If anyone knows what I mean, it's him. I guess I'll be studying his life a lot closer over the next couple of weeks, figuring out how he remained relatable in his perfection.

Heard a cool quote last week.

"People often compare the worst parts of their lives with the best parts of others'."

Don't compare your sin against mine. If you feel like I won't understand, I might not. But I've read about David who was an adulterous murderer, Saul/Paul who was a mass murderer, Peter who had anger issues, Jonah who had was filled with either fear or hatred (or both), and the list goes on. God chose them despite their shortcomings. He reshaped their hearts, not just once but over and over again as they struggled with their sinful nature. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not just you. Not just Moses. Or Cain. But me. My pastor. My boss. My parents. My best friend. The president. Gandhi. Mother Teresa.

You're not alone in your sin. And you have a chance to escape. Personally, I recommend taking
that opportunity.