So, I think most people have heard of this new "not-a-diet-it's-a-lifestyle" diet called the Whole30. If you haven't heard of it, in a nutshell it's 30 days of:
- No Dairy (no cream in your coffee, no part-skim mozzarella sticks to chow down on)
- No Sugar (even honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, etc.)
- No Wheat/Grains (No RICE!!!!)
- No Alcohol (not even the small amount contained in vanilla extract)
Today is my first day of this diet/lifestyle, and I'm not alone! My mom is here visiting for three weeks, and she's doing it with me.
So during these 30 days, I figured I'd resurrect my blog and try to write it in conjunction with a new devotional, and my following of the Huffington Post's Whole 30 Survival Tips.
This might not work every time, but magically, the first day of the devotional and the first tip are like perfectly matched up:
Don't underestimate yourself.
I've actually never thought much of the word "underestimate." It's just a word. Just part of vocabulary. I think people use a lot of words not knowing the depth of meaning that comes with it. Underestimation is 100% a perception issue. We see something as smaller and less valuable than it actually is. When we underestimate something, we look at the object of our estimation fractionally thinking we're seeing the whole.
But what about when the object of your underestimation is...you? How does that happen?
Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”
- Exodus 3:10-12
Situation: The centuries long enslavement of the Israelites will be brought to an end through the obedience and leadership of Moses
The way Moses sees it: I'm not the guy for this job. I'm simply NOT the guy
The way God sees it: I'm the guy for this job. Literally I AM the guy.
In this conversation, Moses is focused on himself and God is focused on Himself. One person has no idea what he's capable of, the other knows exactly what He's capable of.
God even offers Moses a sign: when it's all over, you'll worship Me at this mountain.
So Moses is like (major paraphrase): ...ummm no, Lord. I need signs before I do this!
And so God does that, Moses is able to turn his staff into a snake and able to make his hand leprous and then not-leprous again. After that Moses, armed now with powers, says:
"Lord, You have equipped me well! I will go, free your people in the power and strength of the Lord!"
Just kidding! He totally didn't say that at all. He actually said:
“Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue...Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”
- Exodus 4:10-13 (excerpts)
I think I never noticed how hilarious that underlined point was. Moses was so focused on himself and his own shortcomings that it made it almost impossible for him to believe God. It didn't matter that God, Himself, appearing in a burning bush is speaking to Moses. Moses felt like that didn't change ANYTHING. He was still the same guy. And that guy was not the guy for the job.
Moses, like most of us, even after an encounter with God, even after being empowered by God view ourselves as "just me." No matter what happens, I think of myself as "just me." But from the moment Moses walked up at the bush...something changed. And the moment you believed in Jesus Christ...something changed.
Both you and Moses went from "just me" to "Certainly I will be with you." And from every moment after that, every time you thought "but I'm just me" you were underestimating yourself AND underestimating the God who swore to be with you.Let's be clear: this diet sounds hard, but I know it doesn't rise to the level of "Let My People Go" so let's forget about the Whole30. I can TOTALLY give up sugar, dairy, grains and alcohol for 30 days.
But what about the rest of my life? Am I ready to let go of "I'm just me" and start believing what God says about me?
What is it that you think you're not good enough to be? What is it that you're not good enough to do? What is it that you think you're not strong enough to stop doing?
Believe me...No believe God...you're underestimating yourself.
