Maybe it's because the book Messy Spirituality just came to my mind the other day, or maybe it's because I keep relearning this lesson. When I flip through my bible I've always been amazed that there have been people that could actually SEE God, or HEAR his voice, and yet they still turned away. Because for us in these times we have not physically seen God, and I've always wondered if I had been in the times where you could literally take a walk with Jesus, would I be a more faithful servant? I'm not sure I would be. I want to be, but looking back even before Jesus came, when the exiles doubted God OVER and OVER again, and they did this even though they witnessed great miracles. That David with a heart for God was an adulterer and a murderer. I'm just in awe of a God that chooses people who are nothing. He chooses people who are the "worst" sinners, He chooses people who are undeserving and completley disobedient, but then again... aren't we all?
"18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:18-31
These verses touch my heart because there have been plenty of times in my life where I have felt like nothing. Where I felt like I had nothing to offer, and I had no idea why God would want such a crazy, disobedient girl who feels like she messes up all the time. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that God doesn't need me to complete His plans. He WANTS me. Even with my baggage, even with my fears, and even when I want to run away from Him. He still holds on tight.
And even after He chooses us, He still loves us when we continue to mess up. Looking through Psalms, I'm so encouraged because people like David experience deep emotions. And those of you that know me, also know that I can be juuusst a little emotional sometimes. ;-) Although, for awhile now I've stopped looking at those emotions as a bad thing. I think God made me to be a caring and loving person who feels deeply, and who thinks constantly, because I'm learning that the growing process is going on all the time. I also think He made me that way because it's a great tool in ministry. Being able to share in the journey of others as they experience life, the joys and pains, and having others get to be a part of my life is something I treasure. I'm thankful that God knew this even from the beginning. He knew Adam shouldn't be alone, so He gave him a friend... well they were a little more than friends but you get the idea. :-) God lets us experience His comfort so we can comfort others. God put his "little or mini Christs" (like jesse called us in his sermon) on earth so that we can be a reflection of Christ to others. We have God which is all we need, but that He didn't stop there because as our creator He understands the desires of our hearts, and He chose to make us relational beings. And I don't know about you, but I'm thankful I don't have to walk this journey by myself, because I think we learn and grow from one another along the way.
So when you feel unworthy or like a complete mess remember that... you probably are. BUT ("and i'd like to say that's a big Badonkadonk" ~Pastor Darin) that God wants and chooses us who are a mess, and how great of a love is that? He wants us even when we are not at our best, or feeling at the top of our ladder. He wants us from the day we take our first breath, on the days we wish we could erase, and He continues to want us no matter what we do. A love like this should transform us into obedience, and I just pray that my life would always be turning to obedience because I do mess up. But growing isn't about being perfect, it's about becoming more like the One who is perfect.
"18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:18-31
These verses touch my heart because there have been plenty of times in my life where I have felt like nothing. Where I felt like I had nothing to offer, and I had no idea why God would want such a crazy, disobedient girl who feels like she messes up all the time. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that God doesn't need me to complete His plans. He WANTS me. Even with my baggage, even with my fears, and even when I want to run away from Him. He still holds on tight.
And even after He chooses us, He still loves us when we continue to mess up. Looking through Psalms, I'm so encouraged because people like David experience deep emotions. And those of you that know me, also know that I can be juuusst a little emotional sometimes. ;-) Although, for awhile now I've stopped looking at those emotions as a bad thing. I think God made me to be a caring and loving person who feels deeply, and who thinks constantly, because I'm learning that the growing process is going on all the time. I also think He made me that way because it's a great tool in ministry. Being able to share in the journey of others as they experience life, the joys and pains, and having others get to be a part of my life is something I treasure. I'm thankful that God knew this even from the beginning. He knew Adam shouldn't be alone, so He gave him a friend... well they were a little more than friends but you get the idea. :-) God lets us experience His comfort so we can comfort others. God put his "little or mini Christs" (like jesse called us in his sermon) on earth so that we can be a reflection of Christ to others. We have God which is all we need, but that He didn't stop there because as our creator He understands the desires of our hearts, and He chose to make us relational beings. And I don't know about you, but I'm thankful I don't have to walk this journey by myself, because I think we learn and grow from one another along the way.
So when you feel unworthy or like a complete mess remember that... you probably are. BUT ("and i'd like to say that's a big Badonkadonk" ~Pastor Darin) that God wants and chooses us who are a mess, and how great of a love is that? He wants us even when we are not at our best, or feeling at the top of our ladder. He wants us from the day we take our first breath, on the days we wish we could erase, and He continues to want us no matter what we do. A love like this should transform us into obedience, and I just pray that my life would always be turning to obedience because I do mess up. But growing isn't about being perfect, it's about becoming more like the One who is perfect.
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