Greater...

A while ago, a friend posted a link to a new online study hosted by Melissa Taylor from Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Me, I love me an online study!  I find life so busy that I can't seem to find a good study group to attend these days and while Bible study is so important, I have a hard time justifying taking time away from my children.  Online Bible studies let me flex my learning muscles, learn from other people and, most important for me these days, give me deadlines to meet.  Given who I am, which you are about to find out, I must always meet a deadline so it keeps me going.

This study is called "Greater" and is built around Steven Furtick's book of the same name.  I haven't heard of him before but the summary sounded interesting.  The contrast between "greatness" and "greater" seemed intriguing.  I have to say, after reading chapter 1, I definitely think this book is for me.

When I was in school, I was eventually labeled "gifted" after being tested.  That sounds like a good thing, right?  Well it wasn't for me.  I am someone with a definite bent towards being a perfectionist and the "gifted" label upped the ante for me.  Not only did I have to do everything wonderfully, I felt like I had to do everything in a thoroughly spectacular way.  As I am sure you can imagine, that's a ridiculously high bar to set for yourself and leads to a great deal of heartache.  As I read the discussion of the meaning of "greater" rather than "best", I wanted to read more and as I realized that there was a message here that God would help me achieve that "greater" that is planned for me, I felt this tremendous sense of relief.  Maybe I don't have to push so hard all the time... Maybe I don't always have to lead everything, accomplish everything, be perfect at everything.  Frankly, all this striving has left me absolutely exhausted, burnt out and discouraged.  I will definitely keep reading, just to search for that change in my thinking.


I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.   ~ John 14:12 NIV84

I know I am supposed to answer what I think about this scripture passage for the week:  Frankly, I don't know what it means exactly.  How could I ever do anything greater than Jesus, even with God's help?  Maybe I'll know by the end of this study.

I can't wait to read everyone else's thoughts.