Are you comparing your 'mess' with someone else's 'masterpiece'?

Christians, just like everyone else, have to compare themselves with other reference points - that's the way our nervous system works.  Whether it's how we hear, or how we see - we use two reference points to get a sense of where something fits in space.  Unsurprisingly, then, we do a similar thing when we are trying to understand where we 'fit' in the world.  Any Minister you see on YouTube or other channels will, for very sensible reasons, be presenting a very edited and finished version of themselves.  This podcast, originally created for my business and mental health connections, has important relevance for my Christian sisters and brothers. 

You are enough in and of yourself and Jesus, by His Spirit, is at work in you to bring you to maturity.  the process, however, is a messy one!

If you look at most people's lives through the lens of Instagram, or Facebook, Twitter, or even LinkedIn, you would be forgiven they've got everything 'together' and their lives are amazing.  This is an illusion.

The truth is we don't see the messy process it takes to make good, finished art. We are ALL in a mess - while we are a work-in-progress. If we judge our progress by other people's finished work, it will be well nigh impossible to feel encouraged. Understanding that mess is part of the process and not something to be avoided is a great leap forward in maturity.

Enjoy the podcast and then embrace your mess!  There is no Scripture in this podcast because of its original audience, nevertheless, I believe it is an important message for all of us to understand.

In fact, I remember a slogan from my early days in the faith, "Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet!"

And when you see someone else's life in a huge mess, trust that with the right creative vision, and the grace of God, there's a masterpiece in there... somewhere!

Messily Yours
Neil