#JesusPlus

"People pleasing  is where you search for people to say something about you that God has already said." - Matt Daniels


"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father, except through me.'" - John 14:6


Tell me to look in the mirror;
I will tell You
I don't see what You see.

Outwardly, I praise Your Name
Who is Lord of all creation.
Inwardly, I worship,
Yet, inwardly I wonder...
Physically left un-affirmed,
My mistakes magnified,
Inwardly, I am left doubting
My sufficiency.

The definition of my identity skewed.
Absence of words and affection
Spoken in the flesh
Leave me believing I am forgotten
By all, I just wanted 
To be
Good enough.  Society's mark
Pegged on this mirror titled, "me".
Not only to fit the bill:
Expected perfection in every way,
Failures fantastically scrutinized...

Honest reflection proves me faulty
With many voices uttering determination.
I am left broken,
Wavering in who I truly am.
Sufficiency of myself proves stumbling.
Every effort performed, this culture
Remains dead and void.
What more sacrifice can I bring

On this altar of affirmation
Paying the debt of my definition
For a sufficient constant in my life?

Why, when a Lamb
Already slain for my pain and sin,
Am I compelled to add my fruit?
Why, when the Creator
Already adopted me as His child,
Am I convinced to claim my orphaning?
Why, when the whole world
Continues singing of His glory,
Am I quickly believing I am alone?
Why, when I have been forgiven,
Am I forgetful of His grace?

Jesus plus something
Equals nothing.
Jesus plus nothing
Equals everything.

God, renew my entire being
That I may be complete
In and of You.  Remind me
Before I knew You, You already loved me.
You called my name, and declared,
"I am your home."
Forgive me when my mind sways.
Pursue me until I am infinitely Yours.
Deafened to all other voices,
Blinded to all who I was supposed to be,
May I completely abide in You.

Tell me to look in the mirror:
Jesus is the Way to my definition
Your words are the Truth of my affirmation
You are the Life of my sufficiency.
Amen.