The story...
When I was a kid, mosquito bites would swell up and itch like crazy. And, I'd itch them like crazy. My mom would say, "Stop doing that, it'll just make it worse." Truly they did get worse the more I scratched them. My focus on the mosquito bites, and that satisfying relief from scratching, distracted me from living more fully in the present.
It's not hard to imagine that our known sins are kind of like itches that come alive when we scratch the hell out of them. It feels good, but not for long. The scratching seems almost involuntary and necessary for our well being or survival.
What's it like on the other side of life if we resist the urge to scratch our itches and become more self-aware in the present? Is a life like that better, doable, and sustainable?
The only church in town would preach that your old-sinful nature is going to scratch itches no matter how hard you try to stop 'em. Like whac-a-mole, a new one will just pop up and take the other's place. And, you'll likely find a bit of pride too in your efforts to be good: "What a good boy am I!"
The only church in town will preach the unmeasurable value of living out a loving relationship with the Lord your God through the atonement that only He can provide - GRACE. Each of our relationships with God, is the source of the lasting good life. Why not trust God and walk humbly with Him today? He created us the way we are and enjoys us - even those rebellious rascals like me. I won't willingly go back to that old Whac-a-Mole life. I'm so thankful that God restores our relationship continuously in a real loving relationship - He seems to be molding me into the better man He created me to BE.
Just for today...
"My great fear is this: If I shed many characteristics that stand in my way, what will be left? . . . The desire to grow and heal has brought me to this uncomfortable point, because I am tired of the way I have been . . . I can take all the time I need." Courage to Change (p. 221)
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