Pass or fail? One brings delight, sighs of relief. The other? Most likely gloom and doom, if not despair. Hope feels fragile, fleeting as butterfly.

We all fall into the trap of judging ourselves and our worthiness based on the assessment of others, results of tests and examinations, interviews and hoped-for invitations.

What if we realised that we are already of infinite worth and value to God?

Jesus didn’t let the bitter cup of pain, sin, sorrow and shame pass Him by, although blood-sweat poured from His anguished frame.

He drank it willingly, every drop, because that’s the way He loves us – freely, unconditionally, totally.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” ~ Hebrews 12:2

Jesus didn’t die to simply secure us a pass, a ticket into heaven. He died to give us abundant life in the here and now.

He rose again to reveal the resurrection freedom we can have over all the painful things that hold us captive to earth.

[bctt tweet=”Jesus justified us before the Father so we don’t have to cower. Fear of failure needn’t derail us”]

The world and its cruel standards may reject us time and again, but God always says, “Come.”

He says we’re welcome, invited Just As We Are, imperfections and all.

He won’t pass up an opportunity to pursue us relentlessly, to heal our hearts.

We don’t have to pass muster on our own, or clean up our act.

We simply have to see our need of God. And come to Him willingly, freely, obediently.

[bctt tweet=”God stands ready to restore and renew our broken lives. His arms are always open.”]

This isn’t an invitation to pass up or pass by. This is Life and Death and so much more besides.

This is worth assigned to us regardless of our situation, salary or statistics, wholly based on Christ’s worthiness and all He has secured for us.

It’s a mantle of grace to cover all our sin and failings.

You and I are already pre-approved, my friend.

There is beauty in our becoming because God sees the end from the beginning.

I’m grateful words have come and I didn’t have to pass up the opportunity to link with our host, Kate Motaung, and the fantastic five-minute-friday crew today as we share here on the prompt: ‘pass’. And happy as always to be joining Barbie and Carrie in sharing how we’re seeking to grow in our walk of life and faith.