Sometimes we tell ourselves (and others) that our lives are so much more busy, crazy, important, tough, tragic, _______ than that of others (fill in the blank with your own adjectives).
As image-bearers of God and followers of Jesus, we’re all gifted with the same number of minutes in an hour, hours in a day, days in a week, weeks in a month, etc. We have the same basic needs, are designed by the same Creator, and have been given the same basic mission in life – to glorify God in all that we do. We all face various difficulties, challenges, and hardships – some due to our own failures and some because we live in a broken world cursed by sin. We all have access to the same sufficiency of grace, the same power in our time of weakness.
It’s our priorities that are different.
It’s our perspectives that are different.
It’s not that we didn’t HAVE time to do something we should’ve done…it’s that we didn’t take the time to do it because of different and/or misplaced priorities or because we’re trying to fit something in that He never desired for us.
It’s not that our problems are worse than others…it’s that we place higher values on OUR struggles and on OUR desired outcomes. We place less value on the One who offers to bear our burdens with us and less value on the One who is in constant care for and absolute rule over us, for HIS glory and the good of HIS people.
Philippians 4:12-13 ESV
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
John 3:30 ESV
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 