Matt Whitacre

A friend once asked me, “What difference does Jesus make in your life?” I’ve been pondering that question ever since.

The answer is even more apparent since I’ve become a parent.

I sin.

I am prideful. I am ungrateful. I complain. I lack self-control. I get angry. When I’m angry, soft answers are hard to come by. Kindness and compassion and mercy are far from my thoughts.

I wish there was a button to push (aside from the one my kids push) to stop everything and everyone so I can have few minutes of silence to gather the most helpful words to use in the calmest, most patient, but firmest tone of voice. Then my children will look at me adoringly and say, “yes, Mommy, I agree that’s a reasonable request and I’d be happy to do it right away without arguing and with a cheerful attitude.”

But there is no such button.

At the end of the day, when I’m exhausted from trying every trick in the book to prevent the munchkin from getting out of bed 15 times and keep the other one from knocking her on the head, I sit down and feel like a failure.

I’ve failed in demonstrating self-control. I’ve failed in showing gratefulness, grace and mercy. I’ve failed in using my time with the kids wisely (and I’m with them all day)! I’ve failed in spending quality time with my husband. I’ve failed in acting with kindness, compassion, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness. And the list goes on.

At the end of the day, I want another chance.

And then I read how Jesus busted through the inherited forces of everlasting failure, took this picture of a helpless human and turned it into something beautiful…

 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Romans 4:7-8

Hope!

 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Hope!

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17

Hope!

This living hope is the difference Jesus makes in my life! Consistent with the mercy of God, Jesus defeated something so permanent and hope-less and gave us something so victorious and hope-full. His promise is true. His salvation is sure. His power keeps our faith alive.

I’ve read these passages over and over again with such a deep sense of relief– not a relief that I can go on sinning as I please, but a relief that no matter how badly I fail, Jesus still wins and holds the victory:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

God provides.