Okay, I have a confession to make. I sometimes embellish the truth. I learned it from my Daddy. Man, can he tell a great story. In my defense, they are not all out lies. It’s truth spiced up a bit.

Last week, I wrote a blog entitled, Just Breathe. In it, I stated that I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Although this is true, my husband politely reminded me, it’s a little misleading.

I have in fact struggled with anxiety for years. Those fast-moving thoughts seem to keep me in a state of nervousness. So that part is true. That’s why breathing is so important to me. It helps me manage the anxiety.

However, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve had a panic attack. It’s not that I’ve never had one before, because I have and it scared me to death. But to say that I struggle with panic attacks is not a complete truth. It implies that I have them often. I do not. Thank the Lord.

So, why the confession? Because God is God and I am not. God says, “to be holy because I am holy.” God told Moses to tell an entire community this truth. “Be holy because I am holy.”

The definition of holy;

Deuteronomy 14:2 says, “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you…to be his own special treasure.”

God has chosen me to be his special treasure and He has chosen you as well. I can tell you friend, I am far from holy. So why do I even bother?

Philippians 3:12-16 from The Message captures my thoughts perfectly,

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.”

I want everything God has for me. If that means I must strive to be holy and admit when I have fallen short, then so be it. If that means, I must confess when I’ve embellished the truth or over looked my neighbor or spewed a careless word because of my own bad attitude, I will admit it. Everyday if that’s what it takes. Because we have been set apart to be holy and we are God’s own special treasure. I will reach toward Christ, just as Christ continually reaches toward me. I will strive to be holy because God is holy.

Let us pray: Father God, we praise you because you are our holy God. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for teaching us what it means to be set apart. Thank you that you have made us your special treasure. Forgive us when we embellish the truth or fall short in our efforts. Most of all, thank you for sending your Son to show us what a true relationship with you looks like. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M

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