At New Life Ranch our overall theme verse is II Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” My issue with this passage is that in my life the old (flesh) seems to continue to come to the forefront and the new takes a back seat. Whether it be the way I act towards my family or my co-workers, how I react to the poor and needy, or pride and selfishness the old still is present in my life. Therefore, when others come with their needs I often feel unworthy to help. “I’m just not there!” If I feel like if I am letting the flesh win, then how can I in return help others?  Then I don’t engage! In fact, I walk away more defeated and can eventually end up riding the pine and not engaging the game. Anybody else been there? Are you there now?

I think this is exactly where satan would have us reside. In fact he wants this feeling to penetrate the whole Church. You aren’t good enough! You are not there! You really can’t help! In fact, I believe this is where most people of the Church are at and this is why we see the lack of engagement in culture and in mess. We would rather manage our Christianity and stick to what gets us by so we continue to go to church, sing in the choir, and perhaps make an appearance in a small group but I personally have discontentment in this. This is what we have done for years. I believe others are there as well. There is not only discontentment with the church, but there is a discontentment in our very own lives. Have you taken time lately to sit down and say what kind of difference am I truly making? Have you asked your self the hard question of what is God calling me to? I have a hard time believing it is too sing in more choirs or set in the church pew a few more times a week. I truly believe he is calling us all to the mess of the world no matter what mess we are finding ourselves in.

Get over the lie that you are not there or that you are to messed up to help. Reality is we are only good enough through the grace of Christ Jesus. It is through him that I am to live. In fact, if you go up from II Corinthians 5:17 to II Corinthians 5:15 it says, he died for all, that those who might live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” May I continue to learn that I am not my own no matter how big my mess is… I am there and I must engage….

Share with us your story of discontentment or your story of not feeling worthy enough and why….