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I Was Absolutely Crushin’ The Christian Life

I Was Absolutely Crushin’ The Christian Life

Heather Hart · January 28, 2019 · 20 Comments

It was the first week of January and I was at the gym crushin’ the Christian life. I mean, I was totally rocking this new year.

I had hit my FitBit goal every single day so far. Got my Bible reading in. And I was making amazing progress on my to do list.

You could say I was feeling pretty great about myself.

As awesome as she felt, she knew something was missing… #CandidlyChristian Click To Tweet

Something Was Missing…

But as awesome as I felt, I knew something was missing. That something just wasn’t right…

As I picked up speed on the treadmill, I felt a nagging at my soul.

Everything I was feeling great about, was based on my own accomplishments. I wasn’t leaning into Jesus, I was patting myself on the back.

And all of a sudden, it no longer felt so great.

Are you relying on grace or works this year?

Grace vs Works

Ephesians 2:8-10 came to mind, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“

I had been relying on my own strength instead of looking to Jesus; boasting in my works instead of resting in God’s grace.

I knew it was true because as much as I was “crushin’ the Christian life” I had been neglecting to pray. It had all been about me and my accomplishments, instead of about God and His glory. Instead of about my relationship with Jesus.

I wasn’t crushin’ the Christian life, I was becoming a whitewashed tomb.

So I did what any Christian woman would do when they came to that realization. I started to pray. And when I got home, I stopped trying to be awesome, and surrendered to Jesus. Accepting that I’m not always get it all done, and that’s okay.

How Are You Doing This New Year?

Are you pressuring yourself to work harder, be better, and do more this new year, or are you resting in God’s grace and living out your relationship with Him?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Weigh in and tell us how your resolutions, words, or goals are coming along.

Are you pressuring yourself to work harder, be better, and do more this new year, or are you resting in God's grace and living out your relationship with Him? Click To Tweet
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About Heather Hart

Heather Hart is an internationally best-selling and award-winning author with an unquenchable passion for Jesus. Life with four fun-filled teens doesn’t always provide the quiet atmosphere her introverted personality and chronic migraines crave, but she loves them all like crazy and the gospel is a balm for her soul. Heather’s hope is that, while she is struggling through this thing called life, she is pointing others towards Jesus along the way.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Evans says

    January 28, 2019 at 10:23 am

    “It had all been about me and my accomplishments, instead of about God and His glory.” I think all of us do this, getting distracted by the doing rather than in abiding. But it sounds like you had a really productive beginning to your year!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      January 28, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      I definitly did. Sadly, once I realized what I was doing, the pendulum swung the other way. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a nice middle ground?

      Reply
  2. Janene says

    January 28, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    I seriously believe that God will not allow my blog to become popular, because I wouldn’t be able to handle it. That sounds weird, but I do believe that. I would get a “big head” and start thinking more of myself than I should. But I do want my blog to be read by as many Christians as possible, so perhaps He has to teach me more humility, first. God bless you!

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 28, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Sometimes God just has us wait for the right timing because He’s not done teaching us what we need to know. And sometimes we need to learn the same lesson over and over again (and yes, I’m talking to myself).

      Reply
  3. Maryann says

    January 28, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    Ahh, yes… checking off that to-do list instead of relying on grace. I totally get it and I am glad to see I am not alone in this. Thank you for this reminder on who we should lean on.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      January 28, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      Thanks for stopping in, Maryann (and for reminding me I’m not alone!).

      Reply
  4. Carrie Anderson says

    January 28, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    It’s tough to be Mary in a Martha world, but we have to resist the urge and sit at our Master’s feet. While plans can help us stay focused, we need to make sure we are not turning into hearers but doers of His word. Great reminder!

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 29, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Ironically, I’m totally a Mary. It’s my default setting. But I’m not immune to checking things off a checklist to feel good about myself.

      Reply
  5. Kristi Woods says

    January 30, 2019 at 11:47 am

    I get you, girlfriend. I get you. This walk with Jesus really is simple, yet we manage to make it something quite hard and self-fulfilling. Hand raising here! Lord, forgive us. Have Your way and gather every ounce of the glory.

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 30, 2019 at 12:10 pm

      Yes and amen! We try so hard to do it on our own, yet all we really need to do is admit that we can’t and surrender to God’s grace.

      Reply
  6. Jodie says

    January 30, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    I am an achiever and it’s hard for me to receive God’s grace. When I do, it’s overwhelming. Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to live out of that love.

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 30, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      You are so welcome! Thanks for stopping in, Jodie.

      Reply
  7. April says

    January 31, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    Those times can come in so subtlety. It’s easy to start focusing on accomplishing tasks and it feels good to do that!! God is so very good to gently remind us when our focus needs adjusting. Isn’t it wonderful that we get those new mercies every morning!!! This blessed my heart to read. #saltnlightlinkup

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 31, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      Yes! So thankful for God’s goodness and mercy.

      Reply
  8. Ashley Rowland | HISsparrowBlog says

    January 31, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    I love the points you made here. It’s so easy to look at ourselves and our accomplishments instead of relying on Jesus. Thank you for this reminder as those of us with resolutions this year work on them. Great post, Heather.

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      January 31, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      Thanks, Ashley. Praying you have a great, grace-filled, God-focused year.

      Reply
  9. Annie says

    February 1, 2019 at 8:48 am

    Thank you for this post! It’s easy to fall into that trap of self reliance and then be crushed when we inevitably fail. Prayer is definitely key to relying on God and his grace to sustain us and enable us to take care of our temples!

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      February 1, 2019 at 9:39 am

      So true, Annie. So true.

      Reply
  10. Maree says

    February 2, 2019 at 10:19 am

    Oh my goodness what a post to read today. I have been doing super good at scaling back and putting God first this year. It is my goal to “let go and take hold of God.” However, as I am reading your post this morning I am realizing I have back slipped the last few days(3 to be exact) and I already feel it. Thank you for setting me straight heading to God now.

    Reply
    • Heather Hart says

      February 4, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      So glad you found this at just the right time! I’m coming back to it today after failing to get my checklist done. It’s a great reminder that it’s not about our to do list, it’s about Jesus. A reminder I need whether I’m crushing it or not.

      Reply

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