NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Feb 23, 2003

23 Feb 2003 08:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Feb 23, 2003

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It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn
what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to
call the righteous, but sinners.

Matthew 9:12

One of the most remarkable features of the human condition is our capacity
to pretend that we are healthy when our lives are in total chaos. 

We work hard to cover up our problems and flaws in our character. We will
sacrifice almost anything to keep from facing the truth about ourselves.
We work this hard to look good because we experience our human needs, limits
and failures with deep shame - a shame that drives us to strive harder and
harder to look better and better. We sacrifice our serenity, our relationships,
our sanity on the altar of perfectionism. We also sacrifice any possibility
of getting the help we need by continuing to insist that "we can handle
it."

God does not ask such sacrifices from us. God has no need for us to be perfect.
Jesus speaks to us gently but very clearly about this issue. He confronts
our pretense, shame and perfectionistic strivings. He says in effect "you
do not have to sacrifice yourself in this way. You do not have to drive
yourself like this. I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I want you to learn to
be mercy-full to yourself. Be compassionate with yourself. It will free
you to accept your need of healing. It will allow you to acknowledge your
longing for me."

Jesus was saying "I did not come to pass out blue ribbons to the people
who have all the answers and have worked hard to prove themselves. I came
to bring hope and healing to people who know they need help." We can
stop shaming and condemning ourselves because God does not shame or condemn
us. God knows our brokenness, our pain, our need. We can give up our attempts
to prove ourselves and acknowledge our need for help and healing.

Lord, I don't want to be needy. 
I want to be strong for you.
But, I can't sustain the pretense any longer
I have nothing to show for all my efforts to look good. 
All I have done is shut you out of my life.

Today I acknowledge my need for you, Lord.
I need your healing and your forgiveness. 
I am not healthy. 
I need a doctor. 
I need you. 
Amen. 

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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ROOTED IN GOD'S LOVE (the book from which these meditations are taken, is back in print! To order call our office at 714-529-6227 ext 111 or order online at

http://www.nacronline.com/dox/store/dox/nacrbooks.htm

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Meditations from previous days can be viewed at:  

http://two.pairlist.net/pipermail/nacrmed/

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Plan now to join us at STEPS 2003, a national conference for Christians in recovery jointly sponsored by the NACR and Overcomers Outreach. It will be held June 26-28, 2003 in Southern California. Plenary speakers are Steve Arterburn, David Stoop, Rich Buhler, Sandra Wilson, Mark Laaser and Ann Kiemel Anderson. Over 45 workshops. Support groups. Specialized gatherings. And lots of fellowship and support for your recovery. Details as they become available and online registration will be at:

 http://www.nacronline.com/dox/steps2003.htm

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