“Those who think they can change their own hearts, atone for their own sins, subdue the power of evil in their own souls or in the souls of others, who feel able to sustain themselves under affliction, God leaves to their own resources.  But when they feel and acknowledge their weakness, he communicates to them divine strength.”

To save yourself?  Mission impossible.

You stand a better chance of walking into the jungles of Africa, on the lookout for every mosquito you can find, armed only with a fly-swatter, in an attempt to end malaria once and for all.

You stand a better chance of standing on the seashore with a broom in hand, attempting to keep the waves from the beach.

The other day I was flipping through a National Geographic magazine and came across an image of Buddhist pilgrims traveling hundreds of miles along a dirt road in a remote region.  They were on their way to Llasa, the holy city.  Every 3 steps – yes 3 – they would prostrate themselves on the ground and get up again.

In some attempt to purify themselves, they went to lengths unimaginable.  When I looked at that, it broke my heart.  Trying to scrub the heart of sin; trying to make things right with God; trying to reconcile themselves and make themselves more more righteous… it’s impossible.  I’m so thankful He made the first move and is able to sustain through life’s journey.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6-8