That pebble in your shoe

So often, we think the big obstacles that result in —the unachieved goals, unrealized potential, and unfulfilled dreams—are what hold us back.

We blame hindrances, enemies, and external factors.

We blame our financial situations, our family situations, or physical and mental handicaps.

We blame Satan, demons, weird people, mean people, corruption, and the government.

Our friends, ex-friends, spouses… anybody and everybody.

And while any and all those can be factors, often, if we are honest, it starts much closer to home.

Often, it's that small pebble in our shoe—that habit that entangles us, the thorn in our side—that anger or unhealed trauma.

It's forgetting our first love for God, letting pride and ego fester.

Even when God does something miraculous, like parting the Red Sea, it doesn't guarantee victory.

The issues we had before can follow us across the sea, leaving us wandering in circles despite our freedom.

Christ has set us free; the chains are gone. Nothing holds us back but our mindsets and addictions to our worst selves. Our lack of understanding keeps us stuck in old patterns. Round and round we go, blaming everything but the pebble for our limp.

But it doesn't have to be this way. We can stop, take off the shoe, and shake out the pebble.

We're not slaves to sin anymore. We put the shoe back on and follow where He leads, unhindered by that pebble.

Whether up a mountain or down into a valley, as long as we're with Him, that's all that matters.

It’s the sin that so easily entangles… It’s the pebble in the shoe…

Maybe we just need to sit with Jesus, take our shoes off and let him shake out the pebble.

2 BIG UPDATES

NUMBER 1: AlreadyLoved

In the last few years, the most freeing concept that has become foundational to me is the idea that I am as loved as Jesus is loved. (John 15:9)

Knowing that I am already loved, that I dont have to strive to try earn His favor is so liberating. It sounds silly that I ever thought otherwise… and I dont think I fully appreciate how loved I am yet.

I only wish I knew this from a young age… the church, in an effort to make you behave, can imply directly or indirectly that God’s love is conditional on your behavior. Nothing could be more damaging to people, who then spend the rest of their lives trying to appease this deity.

God runs to the one who has forgotten who he is.

What if you started off in life knowing deep within that God already loves you?

I’ve been working on a product that parents of young kids might find interesting.
I’m excited about it because it will help kids realize and remember that God already loves them.

Do you know any parents of 3-5 year olds?

Let them know about this:
AlreadyLovedKids.com

Number 2:

This newsletter has been under my personal domain—batsirai.com—and as you can tell, while worship leading and encouraging worship leaders is my primary calling, I also enjoy many other endeavors.

I want batsirai.com to be my central hub - that will point people to my various ventures

This worship newsletter will continue - just under a new name:

VeryGoodWorship.com
IG: @verygoodworship (appreciate the follow)

You will see future posts coming from this name… otherwise, everything else will be the same!