THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, March 22, 2024

Lord, the Kardashian’s family photo shows them smiling, surrounded by luxury, the epitome of happiness. They have beauty, fame and fortune, celebrity status most young people dream about. Nothing restricts them from indulging in every pleasure this fallen world has to offer. Their body guards keep the paparizzi at a safe distance, all the while TMZ lurkes nearby waiting for an opportunity. Should I be jealous?

Lord, you whispered to my inner man that the Kardashians and I have something in common. “What?” I had to chuckle. Looking around my living room, I saw no ornate, gold-trimmed furniture, no priceless oil painting over the fireplace, no rich Persian rugs covering marble floors. No crystal chandelier hung over the kitchen dinette. I am thankful my TV didn’t have rabbit ears.

So Lord, what do the Kardashians and I have in common? Besides looks and being created in your image, how are we alike?

You turned my thoughts to Psalm 119:1–8. Here, the psalmist reviewed his life, his actions, and his motives. In verse six, he asks a question we all should ask ourselves: “Lord, how do I measure against your standards?”

Here is where the Kardashians and I are alike: we all fail to live up to your standards. “We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Since you know we could never live up to your standards, you sent Jesus, your Son, to redeem us from sin and demonstrate your grace.  As you gave grace to the psalmist during his ups and downs, you give grace upon grace to your followers, who struggle to be consistent in their journey of faith (John 1:16).

Lord, because you are merciful to the repentant, your grace covers our shortcoming of living up to your standards. Amen, Jesus.