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I heard this phrase in one form or another three different times in the last two weeks. Each time in a religious setting (not at our church). I’m not sure exactly what the various users of the phrase meant by it, and I’m not making any judgments about their intent, but I will say that several questions come to my mind when someone offers to help me become the “best version of myself.”

Jesus’ teachings in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) are just so mind-bogglingly counter-cultural they would almost seem outrageous if they didn’t simultaneously call out in the Spirit-filled heart, YES! That’s right! That’s beautiful! Our “natural” thoughts are so upside down and opposite of God’s thoughts.

God has been surprising me lately. I love that. Just like when your kids or spouse or friends reveal a side of themselves you haven’t seen before or share something about themselves you didn’t know before. It’s beautiful and leaves me in wonder and even more in love.

In my last post, we looked at the incredible perfections of our future home, the New Jerusalem. Where God is the radiant light for which the summer sun now gives us just a weak glimpse. In May each year, I like to read through Revelation and think about being, physically, in the presence of God.

Can I be real with you for a minute? I have spent most of my life battling fear. From a young age, I’ve been afraid of the normal things like the dark and spiders, but I’ve also been afraid of being abducted, murdered, and dying in general. I don’t enjoy the fact that still, at the age of 38, I’m afraid of the dark and of someone peering in my window at night or waiting in the backseat of my car to kidnap me.