So I was reading Matthew 7:23 today where Jesus says “I never knew you; depart from me.” Man that verse used to scare me because I thought it meant you could try your best, believe in God, do all the church things, and still somehow miss it. But when I slowed down and actually looked at what Jesus was saying, I realized He wasn’t talking to atheists, He was talking to religious people who were doing all kinds of impressive stuff and even saying “Lord, Lord.” They were pointing to everything they did, the miracles, the works, all the things they thought proved something, but Jesus didn’t say “you didn’t work hard enough,” He said “I never knew you.” That word “knew” isn’t about information, it’s about relationship, walking with Him, letting Him into your life instead of just doing things in His name. That hit me pretty hard because I spent a lot of years trying to fix myself, prove myself, build something good enough to make up for the mess I made before, but that’s not what Jesus is asking from me at all. He’s not asking me to impress Him, He’s asking me to know Him and let Him know me, one day at a time, the same way I stay sober, the same way I keep moving forward. Turns out the point isn’t performance, it’s relationship, and that’s a whole lot better news for a guy like me who used to think he had to earn everything.

Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I.