Sweet Friend, Let Go.

My sweet friend,

We had a conversation the other day about how busy and crazy life is. How tired we are. How much there is to do and be done. And you told me just how exhausted you truly are.

It makes sense, I mean we're here as students and that's most definitely the priority as it takes up the majority of our time between class and homework and studying and tests and papers.
There's extracurriculars like sorority life and sports and clubs. And a job and church too.
Finding time to be with friends and keep up those relationships. Don't forget about eating, and sleeping, and occasionally working out.

I know you're tired. I see how busy I am, and I know you have the same things going on.
But my sweet friend, I see something deeper too.

I see how you're worn out from trying to do it all, and trying to do it all perfectly. 
I know you.
There's that pressure to maintain the perfect GPA so you can get the right job, so you can have money.
The craving to have everyone as a friend, because you so strongly want that approval.
There's the need to be involved in everything possible so you can just keep running, keep going, not stopping to think about what it is you're consistently running for but doing everything to just keep moving.

I know you desire to win the world over, to be successful in your job, for everyone to appreciate you and love you, I know you are striving so hard for perfection.

And my sweet friend, it's wearing you thin. You are overwhelmed by the stress of it. 
The burden of doing it alone. The weariness of living this busy life by yourself.
Trying to be everything you need to be, you have to be.

Trying to save yourself. 

My sweet darling friend, you will never be able to do it.
You will never be able to be perfect, to accomplish everything you desire.

You will never find satisfaction in your job or the love of your life. It's not there.
That satisfaction that fills your heart so it's no longer empty won't be found in being involved in every organization on campus or having the most friends in your dorm or your sorority chapter or your classes.
It's not there. 

Sweet friend, you've been trying for so long to do it alone.
I don't want you to be angry with me, but... you can't.
You can't be perfect.
You can't gain enough approval that your heart doesn't crave more.
You can't be so successful that you're never worried again.
You can't keep running from the truth.

We can never be perfect enough my sweet friend. There's no chance to bridge that gap. We are lawbreakers, imperfect, not deserving of any mercy.
There's no hope that we can create anything to satisfy that hole in our heart that no matter how hard we try to fill, remains empty.

You've told me before that you try to be a good person, follow the rules and be kind. And that's good. But my sweet friend, that's not enough.

It is not these works that will save you.

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

My sweet friend, there is so much peace waiting on you. There is peace, and rest.
There is a savior with arms open wide to welcome you where perfection isn't required. 

There's no need to achieve that perfection, because He's already done it. He is perfect.
Jesus is the only one who never sinned, who remained completely flawless. When we receive this mercy that is offered to us by faith, we are credited with his perfection and He takes on all of our sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21
"For our sake He made Him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 

And so His underserved death satisfies God's demand for perfection. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus.

And maybe, my friend, you know this already. Maybe you are aware that you are a sinner in need of this saving grace.

Maybe your struggles are that you know Jesus saved you, but you feel like there is more. There must be more. You must memorize more scripture, share the Word more, work harder, do better.

And to that I tell you, my sweet friend, He is enough. 
He is it. He alone.

It is enough that He died for you, we don't need to do anything else. 

I see that you're tired, my sweet friend. Tired of trying to more, to do it by yourself.
Go to Him, run to Him and give it to Him. 
He alone can give the peace that goes beyond understanding.
He alone can give the ultimate rest that you so crave.

Philippians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

Give in, my sweet friend.
Let go. 
Find the joy and the rest that your heart so deeply desires.

He's waiting on you. Just like He waited on me.

Love,
Alana