The test

I sat at the polls in ferrysburg Tuesday as poll challenger for five hours. Legally, I can’t talk to the voters...which makes it awkward when people say hi and start talking to you.

Anyways, I’m sitting at a table next to this really sweet poll worker who’d been showing me pictures of her grandkids and new craft room for almost an hour, when this man walked up to us with his ballot . She asks how he’s doing and he responds that he has cancer, but then continues by telling us it’s okay, better him than his kids; And your heart just melts for him...what a sweet response.

He goes on to say:

“Soon, God will ask me “were you a good person? “....And then God will ask me “who did you help”

And he was confident he could pass the goodness exam with flying colors which gave him peace about dying.

Of course, just having written my last piece about goodness...I cringed a little.

Then he handed us each a card for his life coaching services...he also does hypnotherapy to treat depression , addictions, pain etc.

I couldn’t talk, legally...so I just nodded politely. Probably a good idea though just to sit and reflect on what he’d said.

When he walked away All I could think about was the scriptures about how “good” we are...that’s why He sent Jesus to die on the cross. If we were good on our own, well then He died in vain.

I talked briefly about it with the poll worker next to me, She actually attends the same church as I...one of our pastors came through to vote and she remarked how she wished she was as “good” of a Christian as they were. Why do we do this to ourselves people?? The comparing, the goodness barometers and scales?! We just need to stop this, it’s just not true. Let’s stop comparing ourselves to one another....and start comparing ourselves to God...that’s how you get humbled quick!! And that’s where God can do His work in you.

“He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble”
-James 4:6

“No one is righteous, no not one “
-Romans 3:10

Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone “
-Mark 10:18
( this last one people have used to say that Jesus doesn’t claim deity...read it again and try not to be presumptive about what Jesus said...focus on it and you’ll see what I mean...there are two ways to understand His statement ...is He saying :

1. Only God is good.
2. I am not good.
3. Therefore, I am not God.

or
1. Only God is good.
2. I am good.
3. Therefore, I am God.

Food for thought