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Can you worship God when you don't feel worthy? If you've ever struggled with guilt, shame, or the feeling that you've sinned too much to approach God, this episode is for you. In this devotional podcast, Bobby explores Colossians 3:1–4 and shares the biblical truth that your relationship with God is based on Christ's finished work—not your performance. Discover how to overcome shame, find freedom through God's grace, and remember that your identity is secure in Christ. Whether you're battling regret, feeling spiritually distant, or simply need encouragement in your daily walk with Jesus, this episode will help you refocus your heart on the hope of the gospel.
[00:00:13] Welcome to another edition of the Weekday Podcast. This is Bobby. I'm super grateful you're here today. All week long. We're going to carry a theme throughout the week, so if you're able to join us every single weekday, I'd love for you to do it. Hey, if you don't mind, would you share it with a friend as well? Just send them to weekdaypodcast.com today I'm thinking about this idea that you are not too far gone on to worship. Now, if you've ever walked into a room to worship and you felt like a hypocrite for even trying, today's episode is actually for you. And here's where we start. In Colossians, chapter 3, verses 1 through 4, here's what Paul says. He says, therefore, if you've been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
[00:01:07] Now I've watched people over the years stand in worship services with their hands in their pockets and their hearts are a thousand miles away. Not because they didn't believe, but because they didn't feel worthy. Some voice in their head said, I've done too much wrong this week, or who am I to sing about God's goodness? Because that's what shame does. Shame keeps score, but grace doesn't. Here's what shame does. It keeps a ledger. Every failure gets written down and it whispers and it whispers that you have to clean yourself up before you're allowed to approach God. But that's not the gospel. Not even close. Paul doesn't say, if you've cleaned up your act, then seek the things above. He says, if you have been raised up with Christ. Past tense, already done. So your worthiness to worship was never about your performance. It was settled at the cross.
[00:01:53] Now your life is hidden, and that changes everything. Verse 3 says, Your life is hidden with Christ in God. So think about what that means. That when God looks at you, he's not looking at your worst Tuesday, he's looking at you through his son. Your identity isn't buried under your failures. It's actually hidden and protected and secure in Christ.
[00:02:12] Now that doesn't mean that your sin doesn't matter, but it does mean your sin doesn't get the final word on whether you belong in the room and so this is the idea of seeking, not arriving. Paul says, keep seeking the things above, present tense, ongoing. This isn't a one time decision that you make and then coast on. It's a daily redirect. Some mornings your mind will drift straight to the earth, to the bills, the arguments, the failure before ever thinks about Christ. And that's normal. The instruction isn't never drift, it's keep seeking. So every time you catch your mind on the ground, that's not failure. And it's an invitation to reset your gaze upward again.
[00:02:50] So this week, the next time shame tries to talk you out of worship, out of prayer, out of showing up, out of singing truth even when you don't feel like it, like keep on singing it, remember, this isn't how you look. It's not how put together you are. It's about whose you are. So try this before you pray or open your Bible, say out loud, my life is hidden in Christ. I didn't have to earn my way into this. Let that settle before you do anything else. You're not too far gone. You were never disqualified in the first place. Your worst week, it doesn't disqualify you from worship. Christ already qualified. You have a great day.
Chuck is the Lead Pastor at Sugar Hill Church. He’s been the Lead Pastor since 2011, but he’s been around Sugar Hill Church since 2008. Since day one, Chuck’s passion has been to encourage others with this one big belief: “You can do this! You can love God with all your heart, mind and soul and be normal!" You will often hear him say, “the Bible is a very big deal, Jesus is the very biggest deal and living that out always involves serving people here and around the globe.” Chuck's passion is to graciously lead people to Jesus and create a simple path for them to grow in their faith. Some of his goals are to reduce the dropout rate in our local schools, serve with our missions partners well, lead our church and families with a healthy fiscal plan, and in the future, to provide transitional housing for single moms. Chuck and his wife, Jenny, stay plenty busy with six daughters, three son-in-laws, five grandkids and an awesome dog, Kirby. They are foodies and enjoy eating through the Atlanta Magazine Top 50 Restaurants. Chuck’s favorite things to do include fishing, reading, writing and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs!
Bobby serves as both the Associate Pastor and the Teaching Pastor at Sugar Hill Church. He has been on staff here since December, 2008 (where he started part-time in Student Ministry). Bobby’s passion comes from a love of seeing the light-bulb go on for folks. Whether it’s in a small group, a NEXT gathering, or during a weekend message, he loves seeing people “get it” and apply the truth to their lives. As one of our pastors here, Bobby helps individuals take the next steps in their faith, he helps the church fulfill its God-given mission, and he gives day-to-day direction to our Adult Ministries, Communications, and Finance teams. In his spare time, you can find Bobby riding his motorcycle, working out, reading, or eating gas station tacos. He and his wife, Laura, have been married since January, 2011, and they have a very “manly” 10lb cockapoo named Ollie. He would love to connect more, so find him on social media (@bobbymcgraw) or check out his blog at yourbetterstory.com.
