Hey friends!

We hope you had a great weekend! Have you ever thought about what people would say about you if asked? What would they say you stand for, and what would they say drives you? When Pastor Shawn asked what we think Jesus' bumper sticker would say, I wondered about my own. Would people that know me affirm my sticker or call me out?

Pastor Shawn asked us about the idols in our lives. The things we worship that drive us instead of Jesus driving us. I, Marissa, know precisely the one I struggle with. I often struggle with being a people pleaser because I want to be acknowledged. When I'm not recognized, I'm hurt and push people away when they finally notice. Toxic, I know. "Marissa, you want attention, then push it away when you get it" yes, unfortunately. It's my own entitlement and expectations that hurt me more than people do. So when I want my bumper sticker to say "Serves Others, Loves Big," is it truly because I have God in my heart or because of my idol? Will I be called out?

Ultimately I know a few things to be true: I have to remind myself that my eyes should be on Christ and not man. I am loved most and first by God. My salvation is in Him and not in all of the people I please. There is so much more, and it goes so much deeper. I've committed myself to dig deep to the root, like we talked about last week. I genuinely have no idea where it stems from, but I know it's not ok. Pride stops us from receiving God's joy! I know that if I repent and believe that, I will be able to worship Jesus for His victory over my idol, just as Pastor Shawn said. I know I will have peace bigger than any attention can give me. 

This week I invite you to look at your idols. What is pride keeping you from? Is it keeping you from mending relationships? Is it keeping you from truly pursuing God? Will you repent and believe that God can take control of that idol? When you look at that, will it allow your bumper sticker to be true? Ask yourself this week what you stand for at your core and what you're doing to reflect that. Don’t let your pride stand in the way of your peace!