Tired of Trying to Measure Up

By Charles Toy

“I’m sick and tired of trying to measure up to your expectations! It's impossible! You’re God! You have all the power! You’re perfect! You live in perfection! I live in this s--t-hole! You have no idea what it’s like! No idea at all what it’s like to be me!”

That’s what I said to God 21 years ago. I was angry and I was having a MAJOR pity party.

A voice spoke to my soul.  I didn’t hear it with my ears.  I heard it loud and clear in my spirit.

“Yes I do know what it’s like to be a human being. I became one. I know exactly what it’s like.”

I could not have come up with that at that particular time and in the frame of mind I was in.

It was all I needed to hear. God had delivered the perfect message to me when I needed Him most. My spirit was calmed immediately.

The next week-end I went to a Baptist men’s retreat for the week-end.  Unbeknownst to me, there was an author speaking at the retreat, Jeff VanVonderen.  He had just written a book called, “Tired of Trying to Measure Up.” Imagine that.  The very words I had said to God days before. I bought the book at the retreat and read the entire thing.  Again, it was exactly what I needed to hear.

There's an old saying: "Was it a coincidence, or was it God? It was probably God." Amen to that I say.

I still get mad at God sometimes, but he’s patient with me that way. After having a handful of experiences like the one I just described, it’s pretty hard for me to doubt Him.

Does he do these things in your life? I bet he does. Sometimes we just have to be willing to listen.

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