Permission by Phil

​
This month, something happened that hasn't occurred in the past 26 years - we didn't get our devotions out to our monthly supporters until the end of the month. I know, I hear your gasps of shock and disbelief. This may only matter to me, but I think there just might be a lesson for many of us. First, a little glimpse behind the scenes...

I am constantly on the lookout for God's hand at work in everyday life, and when I see something I think would make a good application of scripture, I write myself a note. Then, toward the end of the month (sometimes carrying over into the next month), I write four devotions to be emailed on the next four Tuesdays. For the folks who partner with our ministry financially and those who can't figure out how to use email, we mail a printed copy of all four toward the beginning of the month.

Last month, I was just not motivated to write ahead. Sure, there was plenty going on to keep me busy, but that happens every month. Instead, each Monday or Tuesday, I wrote the devotion for that week. That means the month's printed newsletter couldn't come out until the last Tuesday devotion was written. At first, I really beat myself up about missing my self-imposed "deadline," but finally I gave myself permission to accept that the newsletter would go out when it went out - and that was OK.

Is there something you need permission to let go of? Some unrealistic standard set by yourself or someone in your past that constantly adds guilt to your already heavy load? Some goal or amount of work you need to accomplish to be "worthy?" Some mistake from your past that still haunts you? Some wrong done to you or by you that you've never really forgiven?

I do believe we should pursue excellence in what we do, especially when we are representing God to the world. But our excellence is ours, not anyone else's. Excellence should be accompanied by joy and satisfaction for a job well done, not by guilt, dread, fear, and comparison to others. God loves you, and the fruit of His Spirit working in you is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Good news: guilt, frustration, and disappointment didn't make the cut!

So, if you can't do it yourself, let me help. I give you permission to let go. Forgive yourself, forgive those who've wronged you... let it go. I give you permission to be satisfied with your best, not to try to outdo someone else. I give you permission to let go of those self-imposed deadlines and standards. I give you permission to let go of trying to manage and control all the things that are out of your hands. God's given you plenty of responsibilities without you trying to manage His as well! I give you permission to be you - flaws, failures, and all. God loves you! Your job is to let Him do His work in and through you. Stop wasting all that energy putting yourself down and start lifting Him up. Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." - John 12:32. No permission needed for that!

Maybe in giving yourself permission to let go of burdens you've been carrying, you'll find the one thing you've been missing... joy!

​
Love ya,
Phil and Pam

​Click Here to Check our Concert Schedule!​

​Check us out on Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/PhilandPamMorgan​