A few months ago, I was asked by a spiritual mentor this question, "What is your greatest struggle as a Christian, and why is He worth it?" It took me a minute... or 2....or a day :) of contemplating this question. My answer was very quick to the first part of the question, but it was the answer to the second part that took me down a delightful path of worship.
Jesus has been my Savior for over 30 years now, and in my retrospection it has been evident that the overarching struggle through the years has been that I drift so quickly to my own strength and sufficiency. When I have tried to do things my own way or even tried to walk with Him and serve Him in my own strength and through my own will and flesh, it has always left me depleted, discouraged, and disheartened to fall so quickly away from His yoke of ease and rest.
Being a loving wife, a patient mother, a faithful Christian minister, and a good neighbor have all become a burden when trying in my own strength and will to be these things. So my greatest struggle was easily pinpointed as living in my own strength too often and going about my daily activities without acknowledging how greatly I need to invite myself into Jesus's yoke. However, the focus I want to draw attention to is the answer God lifted my heart up in awe of Him and His glory. "Is He worth it?"
Did you catch it? I originally heard the question as "Why is IT worth it, rather than Why is HE worth it? Subtle word change, but oh so important when we take the focus off of what the struggle brings us and instead look to just WHO our Savior is.
Here are the truths that lifted my heart in worship to Him: Who is our Savior and why is He worth us coming back to Him over and over again when we fail in our struggles.
He is Creator
Colossians 1:16-17 "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
He is Alpha and Omega
Revelation 1:8, "I am Aplha and Omega, the Beginning and the End."says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
He is Light
John 8:12, "Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
He is Healer
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the broken hearted and binds up all their wounds."
He is Love
I John 4:8, "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
He is Grace
Titus 2:11, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men."
He is Redeemer
Psalm 19: 14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
He is Comfort
2 These. 2:16-17, "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
He is Provider
Genesis 22:14, "So Abraham called the name of that place, 'the LORD will provide'; as it is said to this day, 'On that mount of the LORD it shall be provided'."
He is LORD of hosts
Psalm 46:10-11, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
He is Peace
2 These. 3:16, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times every way. the Lord be with you all."
He is Patient
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance."
He is Joy
Nehemiah 8:10, "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
He is Wonderful
Psalm 107: 15, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men."
He is all-Powerful
Psalm 147: 5, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limits."
This list is in no way exhaustive but definitely portrays an awesome God worthy of us returning to over and over again. How awesome are His works and character to me! When you are discouraged about a struggle or sin that keeps taking you down to the depths, look up and set your eyes on WHO are Savior is. And I promise your heart will be lightened as you walk in worship before Him!