The Hamster Wheel

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

From an early age, we see someone we admire and think, “I want to be like him or her.” In junior high, I remember doing and saying things that weren't me at all, just because I wanted to be like someone popular or to behave in a way that would get me into the “in” crowd. Hollywood’s image, movie-star images, and magazine images call to us. At one point in my life, I heard my mother’s voice coming out of my mouth! Sometimes, I think we are part chameleon, adapting to the people and things we are exposed to and climbing the never-ending hamster wheel of life. Even the Apostle Paul said, “Oh wretched creature that I am, who will set me free?”

It Is Written

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Yield

We can step off the hamster wheel and march to a different drum. If we have truly surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus, we have this promise: He who began a good work in us will complete it. The struggle does not depend on our exertion. We have His word on it. The longer we walk with, talk with, and spend time with Him, the more our hearts will resemble His. How wonderful it is to rest in the arms of someone who loves us as we are and helps us become who we were created to be.

Prayer

Lord, so many of us approach You as if we are trying to win a race, earn Your goodness, and measure up. We have an internal image of a staircase that brings us closer to You through our efforts. Give us a new, true image of You stepping down that staircase, meeting us where we are, wrapping Your arms around us, and drawing us into Your unconditional love. Help us see ourselves clothed in the robe of righteousness that Jesus purchased for us, and help us rest in Your great love and in who You created us to be.

Takeaway

There is a place of rest and acceptance.