One day when Jesus was doing his ministry, someone called him good. Jesus’ response was, “Do not call me good. Only my father in heaven is good.” This was someone who cured illnesses, cast out demons, and brought people back from the dead, and he didn’t consider himself good. In contrast, if I turn down a donut and go jogging, I feel pretty good about myself, and in being a christian, If I compare myself to others, do I think that I’m better?

God revealed to me my true self these past couple weeks, and I was taken back. I couldn’t believe the things I struggled with – how weak I was. God was showing me who I was without him. In growing up as a christian, I’ve always had the benefit of being in God’s presence. I’ve always known his protection and love, but in never being without it, I get blinders on to what I would be if God never entered my life, and I never chose to follow his will.

Pastor Zedick went over in more detail how we follow God’s will in his sermon, but what struck me was how important it is. Anything that is good in us, any great thing that we do, anyone we help – comes from God. It’s not from within. I hear so many throwing around the phrase, “draw power from within, find your inner peace.” What God revealed to me this week – and in this sermon – is that there’s nothing within myself to draw from. There is no good in me. It all comes from God. Even Jesus, who lead the perfect life, free from sin, acknowledged that no good came from him – it all came from God. It was Jesus’ relationship with God that gave him the strength to lead a perfect life, perform miracles, and carry out God’s will.

I believe that God gave me this message for two reasons. The first is the importance of listening to God for his will and to follow, but this made me realize something else; the strength of God’s love. When I looked at who I was without God, I was disgusted, but I heard God say. “I love you anyways.” How powerful is that? He showed me the strength of his love, and I am in awe. Listen to the sermon here.