I’m so afraid to fall. Sometimes I get petrified at the very thought of dropping the ball, of not being what I’m expected to be. After all, I’m responsible for those that look at me as a representation of Christ right? I think Pressure by Jonathan McReynolds hit the nail om the head for me – I’ve been listening all morning.

Lord I need you to relieve the pressure, not just from me but for every person that is earnestly seeking to please you. Help us not to allow the voice of others to dictate who we should be. Help us not to believe the lie that there is just one way to follow you. Help us to be who we are, help us to please you by being us and not a cookie-cutter replica of a good Christian.

I don’t know when it happened, I don’t know how but somehow I lost sight of the fact that it is you alone that I aim to please. Everyday I am constantly reminded of the expectations that I may not always live up to, of the way I should look or act to be accepted. Help me to remember that you have already approved me Lord. Remind us Lord that it is your power and not our own righteousness or works that sustains us and the work you have begun in us.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of power may be of God and not of us.                – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Let us pray:

Holy and omnipotent God, lover of our soul. Bring us back to you, reconcile our motives and hearts back to you, back to the place where you are our influence and our standard. God relieve the pressure and stress of living up to expectations that did not come from you. Help us to differentiate between your standard and their opinion. God you matter, you alone matter. Give us your heart. Glory be to your name Lord, we receive your peace in this moment and declare it for the entire body of Christ!

In Jesus’ majestic and powerful name, amen.