Highlights

Sometimes in life, we are handed the most beautiful sunshine and rainbows, while other times, it feels like the walls are caving in and we have nowhere to run.

God is still good.

I think that oftentimes, whether we have just given our life to Christ or we’ve been a follower for years, something inside tells us that life with Christ should appear to be a grand adventure. Once we make the choice to live with Christ at the center of our lives, we believe we’ll never again face hardships, sorrows, or pain. We know deep down that this isn’t the case—the Bible even tells us it won’t be—but something inside of us still wants to show only the best our life has to offer.

We believe that when we show ourselves, it needs to be the best, most polished version. For some of us, the lighting needs to be just right, our hair perfect, or our makeup on point, with a family full of smiles. For others, only the most spiritual or exciting parts of life are shown. We fill our social feeds with the amazing food we eat or the places we go. We live stream the things we are doing and the people we are with, all while giving the perception that life is all cinnamon rolls and rainbows.

How easily we forget that a highlight reel is just that… highlights. They are meant to share the parts of our lives that affect us. Most choose to use it to show their lives in the best light, while others swing the opposite way. Don’t get me wrong—this is not a post to bash social media or any kind of communication. What you use and how you use it is completely and totally between you and God.

Instead, I find myself convicted by the words “highlight reel” over the last couple of weeks.

You see, I’m learning that I love to read. I’ll read nearly anything, and I’ve made a deal with myself—that for every “fun” book I read, I’ll also read a “feed myself” book. Whether that’s spiritual or personal growth, or something I’d like to learn to accomplish, I feed some part of my body, soul, or spirit.

And I’m one of those readers who write in their books. I know, I know—I’m sorry to those who believe that’s taboo! But when I find something that really stands out to me, I highlight it. Sometimes it’s a motivational statement or a task I want to try. Other times, it’s a sentence that simply evokes some kind of emotion—happiness and joy, sorrow or anger. Maybe it challenges my way of thinking, or maybe it’s convicting. So I underline it, circle it, or mark it in some way to draw my attention back. These are my takeaways—my highlights.

We all go through things in this life—hard things, sometimes even unspeakable things. Most of us choose to hide those parts from the world, full of shame and guilt, convincing ourselves, “If they only knew…” But Jesus died for that. That one thing you think you’ll never move past—His blood covers that. That thing you think is unforgivable—His blood covers that.

There is nothing in all the earth you could do to make Him love you less, and nothing in all the earth you could do to make Him love you more.

His love is complete. His love is perfect. His love is unconditional.

God doesn’t want to only be invited to the highlights of our lives. Spoiler alert: He knows the end from the beginning. He wants to be the highlight.

What would happen if we, as Christians, began to live more open lives? Lives that, instead of hiding sin and shame, reveal the work that God and the Holy Spirit are doing in us? What if we started discussing the things we’re going through—not just as “good ol’ days” conversations, but instead as “Look and see what the Lord has done!” moments?

What if, instead of comparing our highlight reels to everyone else’s, we gave ourselves a little grace—knowing that we are all a work in progress?

Revelation says, “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.”

How would we affect the Kingdom of God if we stopped hiding our doubts, sins, and hurts, and instead actively allowed God to help us work those out in our lives?

I’ve said before that when we go into a dark room, we don’t get rid of the darkness by saying “Darkness, go.” No, we get rid of the darkness by turning on the light.

What if we, as the Church, got real about the issues we face and became such a safe space that those seeking Christ (whether new or old—we are all being renewed) could throw off the shame and guilt?They were never ours to carry anyway. What if we invested in things that cultivate the Holy Spirit in our lives, instead of ignoring the pain we’ve gone through?

Jesus took it to the Father—every time. He didn’t shy away from the hard stuff.

What kind of world would we leave for the next generation if they didn’t have to carry the hurt and baggage we do now?

Jesus, what are You asking us to lay at Your feet? I know, Lord, that sometimes it’s hard for me to hand over something I’ve held onto for so long, but I trust You. Help me to trust You more right now as I give ______ to You. I trade my ashes for Your beauty. Use it for Your glory, Lord.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Love you!