I am an American. What does that mean in today’s world? Well I’ll tell you exactly what it means. I’m selfish, greedy, stingy, uncompassionate, over-opinionated, ever complaining, impatient, judgmental, ungrateful, and prideful. Just to name a few. I complain about my job and what hours I have, I complain about the driver who just cut me off, I’m sick of seeing the commercials for starving children in Africa, I have something to say about everything, and I want my burger just as soon as I get to the window. But you know what? Even though I am an, (all those adjectives) American, I am also a sinner. Unworthy, stubborn, and many times broken. I feel like I’m entitled to everything, and the truth is the one who owed me absolutely nothing at all gave me everything.

I really do find myself stressed out about the job I have and how much money I’m able to save which, in my mind isn’t near enough for an engaged 23 year old. I’m tired of a church that doesn’t engage in modern culture, I’m tired of a modern Christian culture that doesn’t engage in the church. I’m sure you’ve been there, or heaven forbid, are there. War in the middle east is constantly in front of me in the media and that’s scary. There are millions of people hurting and needy around the world and yet our congress spends time and money investigating baseball players who possibly use steroids. Anybody else distracted by these things? My mind is constantly barraged by these types of things. Sometimes it gets to the point where I’m calm and collective on the outside but screaming on the inside. What is wrong with this picture? Does no one strive for righteousness anymore? Then something still and small reminds me, shhh.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.� Why is that so hard for us to do? Let go of everything for even a minute and crawl into the fathers arms. Being on the verge of starting a family of my own I’m confronted with a lot of worries including work, planning, and am I being the man that Christ has called me to be during all of this. There are others and I’m sure you have them too, but who am I to complain about my situation? In Matthew 6:25-27 Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single day to his life?� Shhh. There it is again. Jesus the lover of my soul who calls, “steal away with me for a moment.� Suddenly I’m reminded I have nothing to fear, nothing to stress over, and a promise that transcends throughout the ages.
Yes unworthy man, woman, American, Christian......sinner, you are at fault, you are needy. But praise God there is a grace that covers over a multitude of sins. A love that has no end, and a Savior that holds my future in the palm of his hand.

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