Ever feel like your life is one big long project of self-improvement?
How much time do we spend trying to get it all together and make it all better?
A lot.
Well, at least I do. If this isn’t a thing for you, you can encourage the rest of us. . .
How much effort do we put into trying to feel like we’re enough? That we have what it takes?
I recently had a very spiritual AHA moment:
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#busyness, #busywoman, #selfimage”]If I get it all together, where will I put it?[/tweetthis]
And by the way, what is IT?
Can anyone actually define the IT in get-IT-altogether?
For that matter, how much IT does it actually take to get it all together? How do we know how much does it take to be enough? There’s not a clear answer on this, is there?
To be honest, I’m  tired of trying to get it all together. I’m relieved God is teaching me new ways to think about my life and who I am. He’s teaching me to have confidence that I’m a new creation and my life is not my project.
[tweetthis]Note to self: It’s a life, not a performance.[/tweetthis]
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.–2 Corinthians 5:17Â
This amazing truth sets us free from the constant striving to get ourselves together, to make ourselves better.
Our new-creation-self in Christ is not an improved, spiffed up version of self.Â
Jesus didn’t come to make us better, but to make us new.
We know this, but sometimes the distance from head to heart is greater than 12 inches. Getting from head-knowledge of facts to life-knowledge of experience comes one day at a time.
How do we learn to live this new-creation life?
In the book Grace Walk, Steve McVey writes, “When you believe you are a new creation of Christ, you won’t feel the need to act. You can just be yourself, allowing the nature of Christ within your spirit to flow through your personality and out of your life, like the river of living water…that flows from your innermost being.”
When we trust God with our identity, we discover that our life is not our project.Â
For all of us get-it-all-together addicts,
this is game-changing news!
We can let go of the pressure to get-it-all-together because God will put us together. This is the difference between getting by in our own resources and effort and walking by faith.
May God himself,Â
the God who makes everything holy and whole…
put you together—spirit, soul, and body—
and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
The One who called you is completely dependable.
If he said it, he’ll do it! 1 Thessalonians 5:23 MSG
Christ brings body, soul, and spirit in line with God’s design for our lives. In Christ, he puts it all together in us and brings forth our true identity. This is the joy of discovering our identity in Christ.
May God Himself–this is the personal touch of God, active and present in our lives. These verses are part of Paul’s prayer for believers. He asks for God to do something special. Something extraordinary, and something we cannot do for ourselves.
This is how to get it all together! It’s a work that only Christ can do.
This is what God delights to do–He is a God of wholeness, bringing all of us back into completeness that we were created for.
Spirit. Soul. Body.
This is wholeness: complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound. Another translation says, sanctify you entirely.
This is no half-way kind of talk.
God is in the process of making us all-the-way whole and holy.  This is sacred work that only God can do, an identity only God can give. There are no half-measures with God.
He will not leave you half-done, part-way.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Â Â –Philippians 1:6
When we get discouraged with our flesh, thinking I don’t have it together…I’m not the woman I need to be…When we start down that bumpy road, God wants to encourage us. He will put us together—body, mind, and soul—he will bring it to completion.
So we can relax.
And breathe.
And let go of trying to do it all perfectly.
Yes, indeedy!
Let’s trust God to do what He says. Isn’t it time to get out of God’s way and let the Holy Spirit do the things He wants to do in our lives. How will life be different if we stop living like our life is a project rather than a life in Christ?
Related Post:
If I Get it All Together, How Much is Enough?
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
I am one of those get-it-together people. So grateful for the reminder today, Ginger, of what IT really is.
I think we all are, Kori. On some level, anyway. Thanks so much for joining the conversation today. When I remember that God is working in and through my life, it’s amazing the difference that makes.
Ginger, can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed to hear this today. Instead, I’ll offer my thanks and blessings for your work in sharing grace.
Alice, it does my heart good to catch a glimpse of how God gives words to one for the encouragement of another. Such a picture of how the body of Christ works. Be encouraged today! God is doing great things in your life.
Such a good question!
So much better to be available to God (and to others!) in a moment-by-moment obedience than to be continually worried about my image.
Well said, Michele! God has been impressing the importance of moment-by-moment dependence and trust. Believing He is working even in the midst of my messes is so encouraging. Thanks for joining the conversation today!
So true, Ginger. I read a good quote the other day: Jesus didn’t sacrifice his life for us to live a good, Christian life. He died to live in us!
And praises for your busy schedule!
Cynthia
Love that quote, Cynthia!. Yes, I’m grateful for a lot of speaking events this spring! Sharing truth and encouragement with women in person is my favorite! Blogging’s fun, but in person is the best!
Oh, boy! Did I ever need to read these words this morning “our life is not our project.” I forget this all the time because I’m always trying to get ‘it’ together and figure life out on my own.
I know, right?! I have to remind myself that the road to freedom is dependence on Christ. Thanks for visiting today!
Such an encouraging reminder. I’m a new creation, not a work in progress! Thank you!
I like the way you put that! So glad you could join us today. Blessings:)
Whew! Can you hear me sighing in relief? I’ve been struggling to “get it together” for the BRMCWC. This was truly a helpful post. Now, if I can just not try to take back what I’ve handed over to Jesus 🙂
Blessings!
Beckie
It is a push to get ready for BRMCWC! Praying you have a wonderful conference. I’m sad not to be joining this year! Hope to be back next year. Going to miss my writing peeps!
Ginger, are you my twin sister?? This is such a good message and one I have been ruminating about too. Like Paul said, who I think I am is rubbish. I am wanting more of Christ in me.
We just might be:) The more I work with women, the more I see how we all struggle with these things. I look forward to visiting your blog. Thanks for joining in today!
So true, Ginger. I think we struggle with many of the same things in differing degrees. That speaks so much to our need to connect with one another. Power in numbers against the enemy’s schemes
I’m over here desperately trying to “get-it-together” to even get to all the blog posts and here’s the perfect thing to remember. Relax – it’s not a performance, it’s a life. Thanks for these words today (even if I’m late reading them).
🙂
God’s timing is perfect! What if we give ourselves permission to buck all the “have to’s” and “should’s” and “keep up’s” in blogging and just run with freedom and joy in the gift God has given us? What does it really look like as a blogger to let go of the “get-it-together” life? I’m right in the middle of this walk to freedom! Blessings!
“When we trust God with our identity, we discover that our life is not our project.” I really like this line. He has the best plans anyway.
Yes, Mammy, He sure does. I was just thinking about that today when I was driving home from taking my daughter to work at camp for the summer. Thanks for commenting Patty! Blessings:)