Getting UnStuck From Trying to Measure Up (Matthew 23:1-12)
Matthew 23:1-12
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garmentslong; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @ Sunday, September 11, 2022
Getting Unstuck from Trying to Measure Up
And it’s clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners,
every one of us,
in the same sinking boat with everybody else?
Romans 3:20 (MSG)
I looked down the raging river where the boulders were sending up massive sprays of water as they crashed into it and rushed past it. I was concerned about taking this group of students down the Wolf River in Shawano, Wisconsin at a time where the river had just subsided past it’s flood stage. The owners of the rafting company would only allow us to take on the upper portion if we were willing to wear wetsuits, lifejackets, and helmets. This should have been my first clue that we might want to reconsider going! But we had just driven 5 hours and the youth were excited about this adventure. So… we got in the rafts and faced the raging river.
One set of leaders was at the front of our chain of rafts and I would take up the rear to help anyone who might get into trouble. It wasn’t long before we hit a set of rapids that were flinging students out of their rafts like they were on a trampoline. One group of students had completely lost their raft and were yelling for help. They were caught in a whirlpool type eddy that swirled around them so much that they were unable to break the force of water. The only way out was for someone to come and rescue them and pull them to safety.
It took us a few minutes to finally get to them with our raft. They were soaked, shivering, and full of fear. They didn’t have a lot of strength left as we pulled them into the raft and headed for shore. The look of relief in their faces when they were on solid ground was comforting.
I often picture that scenario when I get caught up in unrealistic expectations of others (and myself). No matter how hard I try in my own efforts, I just can’t break the swirling whirlpool that seems to get larger and more powerful the more I struggle. How about you?
Have you been struggling spiritually, emotionally, or mentally and find that you are more tired than energized?
Do you struggle with feeling guilty because whatever you do is never “good enough”?
Has your joy dried up as you spend more time trying to gain approval or measure up to some standard that seems far out of reach?
This Sunday I invite you to come and release those burdens during worship and discover how to “rest” in what Jesus offers!
Grateful to paddle this river with you,
John
(click on link below for the weekly study guide)
https://mcusercontent.com/bd5b59c1232ad5702995b368c/files/35ab2f84-f554-d549-f6ab-0f725dcb4ac8/9.11.22_Insert.pdf