The biggest hindrance for me coming to Christ was...me, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. I thought I was good enough. I got straight A's in school, was fairly respectful towards my parents, was in the band, didn't hang out with the wrong crowd, went to church every Sunday, ...etc....etc....etc....
But, the truth was that I hated God and His Word despite all my 'well-doing'. When my Dad sat us down to read a Bible passage or when I heard solid, gospel-centered teaching, my heart held an angry fist to the God of heaven, and I wondered why I needed Him when I was doing so well on my own.
But, God in His grace, extended mercy to this hardened Miss Goody-Two-Shoes and taught me that there is no one good, no, not one (Romans 3: 10-12). He granted new life with a desire to know Him. He began to teach me that He alone was good.
But, this Miss Goody-Two-Shoes thing is hard-wired in my nature, and even though He changed my heart several years ago, I still have to battle relying on my own goodness. And, as I (struggle to) raise my children I have to battle my tendency to force them to 'be good'. Yes, I want them to be good. But, I can't make them be good. That is God's work.
"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:3,4)
Being reminded of gospel truths like the verse above helps in transforming my thoughts. Its not about my goodness and what I have done. Its about God's goodness and what He has done. This is not a comfortable, safe way to live and to raise your children. I would like to raise my children in a 'safe' way....one that I can control. Miss Goody-Two-Shoes is safe. But, God calls me to Someone higher and better than my 'safe' self.
Perhaps C.S.Lewis in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe said it best:
"'Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.' 'Ooh! said Susan, 'I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion?' 'That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,' said Mrs. Beaver, 'if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly.' 'Then he isn't safe?' said Lucy. 'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver. 'Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe. But, he is good. He's the King, I tell you.'"
Let that be the message on this transforming Miss Goody-Two-Shoes' tongue...'He is good. He's the King, I tell you."
