Yep, I've changed!

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ— God’s righteousness. (Philippians 3:7-9 MSG)

I love this scripture from the message. It made me think about how I have changed throughout my life, how God has changed me! I have wasted so much of my life pursuing "credentials" which is just a fancy word for pursuing "power and prestige". It is also another way of saying my priorities have always been mixed up. I've always been trying to climb the ladder, get more stuff, nicer homes, and a "better" life. I claimed I was doing it for my family when I was really doing it for myself.  I kept rules in an attempt to please God, yet I ignored him, except on Sunday. In that time of my life, I had my own righteousness. I was in control!

Yep, I've changed.

Now I realize, and not a moment too soon, that all I ever needed was in Christ. All the things that used to be important aren't even an after thought. My prayers aren't for things anymore. They're not for jobs, or promotions. They're not for money or financial strife. They're not for the success of my kids. Now my prayers are full of praise and glory for a God that loves me even when I don't deserve it. My prayers are about my family's relationship with the God of the universe. My prayers are to plead for the souls of the lost, the poor, and those that have lost hope. It's no longer about me, it's about God, his glory, and his kingdom. I have realized I can never have real righteousness apart from God and I don't WANT to be in control. I want God to be in control.

Yep, I've changed! And I praise God for the work he is doing in me!