Let's talk about striving.

When our identity and worth are shaken, sometimes we resort to striving to prove our worth and earn the love of others, including God.

It starts as a child, in the school play, sports, and with art projects. All these wonderful things are distorted in our heads as we try to get the lead role, the starting position, and the most praise from teachers and parents.

In our teenage years, it turns to..."Maybe if I paint my nails, dress nice, and do my hair, I will have friends."

...."Maybe if my grades are good enough, my parents will notice me."

...."Maybe if I'm good at sports, I will be worthy of my parent's attention."

..."Maybe if I get into a great college, I will be worthy of their love."

It keeps going into adulthood...

..."Maybe if I get a meaningful job, I will be valued by society."

..."Maybe if I get the perfect husband, he will make me feel loved."

..."Maybe if I raise perfect children, I will prove my value as a person."

It even spills over into church...

..."Maybe if I look like I have my act together, I will fit in here and have friends."

..."Maybe if I talk spiritual enough, they will want me at their Bible study."

..."Maybe if I do enough for others, they will find me worthy of their time and attention."

..."Maybe if I (fill in the blanket), I will be worthy."

What we don't realize is that we are already worthy....because God says so. He doesn't even want us to try to earn it. There is nothing that we could do to earn it. Simple as that. End of discussion.

If only it were that easy, though, right?! Well, it is that easy in reality, but it's not that easy to feel and live it, especially when others have not treated us like we are worthy. We put our wounds from other flawed humans onto God. Satan likes to take everything good from God and turn it upside down. God says good works will overflow from a solid relationship with Him. Satan says good works will earn us a relationship with God…and if we’re being honest, a relationship with God is truly what we've been striving for our entire lives, whether we realize it or not.

Friends, I'm talking about myself here, but I bet most, if not all, of you can relate. Seek God first, and let all the other things flow out of His love. I know it's easier said than done, but let's keep pointing each other back to Him when we get off track.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

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