“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” - Philippians 3:7-8

Dear Jesus, I know the story of Paul's life and how you took away all of his earthly status and renewed him in the status of grace. He had been so proud of his own accomplishments and then suddenly they meant nothing to him anymore. In the same way, I have already thrown away my childhood trophies, but I struggle to cling to what I consider adult accomplishments. I try not to talk about them but I still caress them in my thoughts and measure my life by them when I daydream. By your Holy Spirit, I am begging you to free me from the temptation to measure my life by anything other than your grace. Help me to consider even those things I have accomplished as a Christian to be garbage compared to having your unmerited favor. That way, I will be immune to both diseases called success and failure. AMEN

When Christ fills the room in our hearts we forget who we were and relax in who we are in him.