The adventure of following Jesus is amazing. It is a journey that has me constantly learning, constantly changing, constantly reevaluating. The logical achiever in me finds that hard because I want to ‘do’ it right and complete the job at hand. The pioneer maximiser in me loves it because there is always more to learn, there’s always further to go.

There’s always a tension!

I will admit that there are moments where it all feels too much. Times when I feel like I’m not good enough, or that I haven’t pleased Jesus. Perhaps its that thought pattern I haven’t been able to shift, or the risk I should have taken but pulled back from. There’s times where I feel the pressure to live right and I feel like I’ve let God down.

Its important to realise that the pressure doesn’t come from Him. He loved me before I knew Him, He doesn’t put anything ill fitting on me as His word says. The pressure on me is from me. I too often believe the lie that this kind of life is unachievable. I believe it is beyond me.

I know I’m not the only one.

As Moses is giving the people final instructions before they head into the Promised Land I wonder if he was seeing the same fear in their eyes. They had just heard a lot of information regarding how to live and serve God. They had spent so long enslaved and subject to the Egyptian culture that they needed to learn how to live in the way God had intended. There was A LOT to take in. It must have been overwhelming to hear.

As Moses is going through all the instructions and commandments he says this to them.

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Deuteronomy 30:11-14

I hope those words helped them because they sure help me. He is reminding them that even though this was a lot to take in that it was entirely possible.

Its the same for us today.

This life of following Jesus is at hand. He isn’t a cruel master dangling the promise of a new life over us in full knowledge that we will never achieve it. No, He’s a loving father cheering us on to walk into greater freedom that He knows we can achieve if we will walk with Him.

If, like me, you have believed the lie that you cannot make it, that you cannot please God, then let me politely tell you to ssssh.

He loves you. He is for you. He is near. He believes in you more than you do. He already has rewarded and celebrated you because you are His possession. The pressure is off.

Now… go for it