The definition of a Paradigm shift is “an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.”
The best way I can think to describe my Trueface Journey this past year is a paradigm shift about who I am, who God is, and what it means to live with nothing hidden in a community of grace.
I grew up in a Christian home, and my husband I are very involved in our church. We host worship nights, bible studies, and we really love Jesus. I always believed that God loves me, that I am forgiven, and that I would spend eternity with Him in heaven. I love soaking in God’s presence and enjoying Him. I know the power of the Holy Spirit is active and moving through us to impact the world for Jesus. BUT when it came to the idea of God being proud of me or pleased with me, then that was dependent on me. I really believed that God was more pleased with me when I was walking out righteousness, which I defined as doing the right thing even when no one was looking; holiness, which I defined as acting morally good; obedience, and my calling. So as you can imagine there were days and even seasons of my life where I knocked it out of the park, and I felt God was smiling down from heaven beaming with pride, but there were even more days and seasons that I knew my attitude, thoughts, and actions or lack thereof, were not something that made my Father proud. So I would modify my behavior, be cautious of my thought life to reflect the mind of Christ, I would pray and repent, I would soak in worship, and I would also strive, perform, and do anything I could so that I felt like God could look down from heaven and say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” I knew I didn’t need to earn God’s love, but because of all He did for me- I sure wanted to do everything in my power to please Him.
This mindset is so easy for us to take because it’s how we view others, right? I am a mom of 4 kids. We have three teenage boys still living at home and one grown daughter, who recently got married. I LOVE my kids. AND if I am being honest, I feel more pleased with them and enjoy them more when they are obedient and doing the “right” thing. I am more pleased with my husband when he is meeting my needs and loving our kids well. I am more pleased with my friends when they make me feel seen and heard and pursued. So WHY wouldn’t I think that God would be more pleased with me when I acted a certain way?
The Trueface Journey leads you on a path that digs into scripture and brings to light the idea of really trusting God. This journey has challenged me to think about this: What if the one thing that really pleases the Lord is my trust. Not the giant list of Christian things that I have heard my entire life, JUST TRUST. Listen, when you can really trust and lay down the mental gymnastics of everything you think you need to do to please the Lord- it leads to FREEDOM. It leads to relaxation. It leads to joy and peace. Geez, it leads to margin and space in your brain to just enjoy Jesus enjoying you.
I have been learning to trust who God says I am and not allowing myself, others, or the enemy to define my identity. God says, I am holy and righteous, not by anything I do, but because of everything He did on the cross. I am learning to trust God and others with the real me so that I can heal, grow, become healthy and mature.
Trueface has boldly equipped people to live in a community of grace, where it’s safe enough to tell the worst of who you are and still be loved: No masks, No hiding, No fixing. It equips people with the truth of who they are, and how God views them. A saint. A beloved coheir of Christ. Holy. Righteous. Enough. Chosen. Trueface equips you to allow Jesus to stand by your side, and look at your unresolved sin and the byproducts of that, which leads to hurt, guilt, and shame, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into forgiveness, repentance, and freedom. I want this! I want this for my family! I want this for my friends! I want this for my church. I want this for my community!
We want everyone we know to experience beauty and freedom that comes from a lifestyle of Trust and Real Grace.
Trusting more,
Erin McCall
.avif)
