I’m Not As Good As I Thought…And That’s OK

A few years ago I went hiking with a good friend on a trail that I had never been on before. I had read some things about it, but had never really experienced it for myself til actually on the trail.  What I had heard was that it was a very long, steep incline on the return trip.  It was several miles, all up hill.  Pretty much all my life, I have considered myself as a person who is in pretty good physical shape.  I never really got winded running or playing basketball, so this description of this trail only made me go, ” I got this. It’ll be no problem.  I can do it.”

Half way back on the return trip, my body started to tell me that I needed to rest.  I ignored it.  A little further, my body told me I better stop.  I ignored it.  Just a little further, my body cramped up, my knee hurt, and it told me I wasn’t  going any further.  I had to stop and if not for my friend encouraging me and allowing me to rest a few times, I don’t think I would had made it.  I never dreamed that would be me…that I’d be that guy because I always took great pride  in my ability to perform under physical pressure.

On the outside, everything looked great, but internally there was something really wrong.  Although I never thought I was physically perfect, I really wasn’t even as good as I thought I was.  I’ve recently learned my limits and have learned to even be ok with that.

What am I saying? I’m not perfect and will never claim to be.  I mess up, stink it up, drop the ball and will never be as good as someone tells me that I am or as good as I may ever think that I am.  And that’s ok BECAUSE of the grace of God.  His grace qualifies what I or you disqualify.

At the Ridge, there are no perfect pastors and there are No Perfect People Allowed.  Starting this week, we’re going to talk about these imperfections and why it’s ok to be imperfect.

Hope to see you Sunday