If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am certainly not a faith expert—if that’s even a thing for anyone who isn’t named Jesus.
I haven’t been to seminary (although I was accepted once). I don’t lead a church. I’m not on some powerful Elder board. I do not have “Pope” written on my business cards.
But here’s the beautiful thing about following Jesus:
he is obsessed the broken, the hurting, the unfiltered, the stuck, the exhausted, the super unfamous, the pornstars, the underdogs, the unpolished speakers, the burnouts, the addicts, the untouchables, the salt-of-the-earth regular, broken, messed up humans like you. and me.
I mean, sure, He loves the Kings and the Justin Bieber’s too, but His specialty is to raise up the David-types who are crazy enough to take on the Goliaths—to find the unlikely, authentic, underrated Hobbits and use him or her to change the freaking world.
And in case you’re still on the fence, those God calls upon are often… reluctant.
Take this scene with Moses:
Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!” -Exodus 4:10-14
No wonder my middle name is Moses.
Okay that’s a lie… although Samuel MOSES Eaton does add a certain amount of street cred.
Last week my (very large) Church asked if I would share my story on video to be used during one of their services. I took a deep breath as my stomach dropped and barely said, “Sure.”
I don’t ever enjoy telling the story of my suicide attempt. Helping people? Yes. Spilling my crap out for everyone to see? Hard pass.
A few days later, two cameras and microphones were set up in my living room, all of us crying and crying as I share the insane pain and desperation of those weeks.
And oh by the way, this amazing church of mine is going to use this video in all of their Christmas services—at all 8 of their campuses—and show it online to their 40,000+ weekly viewers.
Fear. Nerves. Moses-worthy excuses.
Yet, I was reminded for the quajillionth time that truly following Jesus isn’t about never making a mistake as so many religion-minded folks would have you believe. We all have struggles to confess.
For all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Following Jesus is actually more about the courageous, stomach-turning times we reluctantly utter “sure” than trying to be perfection re-incarnate.
Cuz guuuuuuurl you ain’t no Jesus. mmmmmkay?
Please, if you’ve got big struggles in your life, don’t bury them: get the help you need to break free.
But instead of beating yourself up for the past, send up an honest confession to God, tell someone about the stuff you’re struggling to change, accept that He has forgiven you by sending his son Jesus to die on the cross, and GO LIVE ALREADY.
Go enjoy your life. Go take a homeless person out for lunch. Step into a church for the first time since you got stabbed in the back. Step into a counselors office. Go ride the tallest roller coaster in the world.
DO SOMETHING AWESOME.
And take little steps every day to move towards God, whatever that looks like in your life.
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“What changed for you spiritually after the attempt?” Travis, the videographer extraordinaire man asks from behind the camera.
I was so nervous I don’t remember what my actual answer was. Something about “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” I think.
The unglamorous truth to how the trajectory of my life changed?
I spent time building a relationship with God. I read my Bible. I volunteered in tons of different ministries where we constantly learned and taught about Jesus. I spent two weeks in missionary training and 4 week serving in Zimbabwe. (Followed by trips to Haiti and Puerto Rico).
I did little things day after day that moved me towards God. I messed up, stood back up and tried again. And again (and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again).
So whether you are brand spankin’ new to this awesome Jesus thing or a season-salted Bible expert with shoulder-pads, everyone can learn and grow from spending time in this really old, beautiful and confusing book.
Do you struggle with the Bible too? Check out these posts about my journey with this book.
And because I’m decidedly not a faith expert, I asked you all two questions on Instagram:
What are your favorite Bible verses?
What Bible verses have gotten you through the hardest times?
If we’re not connected on Instagram yet, click here or snap a picture in Insta of this:
After receiving over 200 responses, I took the most common answers (and threw in a few of my favorites). Along with the list, I created a set of 30 Bible Verse Printables that you can print and hang out anywhere you will see them.
And because we’re homies, here’s one of my favorite verses for free.
The set of ALL 30 verses are available in the Recklessly Alive Etsy Store in a variety of colors!
So without further adieu, SHOW ‘EM THE VERSES!
1. “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” -Psalm 8:28
2. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
3. “Give all your cares to the Lord and he will give you strength.”-Psalm 55:22
4. “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” -Psalm 145:18
5. “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20
6. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” -Psalm 42:1
7. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
8. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” -John 1:5
9. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18
10. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2
11. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26
12. “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”-Psalm 46:10
13. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
14. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” -Psalm 40:1
15. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” -Isaiah 40
16. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” -Psalm 46:1
17. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” -Hebrews 13:5
18. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9
19. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“-1 Thessalonians 5:18
20. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
21. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:23.
22. “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.“-John 1:16
23. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.“-Romans 8:11
24. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” -Ephesians 4:1
25. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” -Isaiah 43:2
26. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.“-1 Corinthian 16:14
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27. “ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
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28. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9
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29. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7
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30. “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.” -Psalm 93:4
So what are you waiting for? Go live your big, beautiful life already knowing you were created on purpose, for a purpose and you’re never alone.
Love,
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