I've been thinking about the people that God uses. In the Old Testament we see Moses, who by his own admission was not worthy. And yet God said to Moses that he would be 'like God' to Pharaoh. We also see David, the 'man after God's own heart,' but David had his share of screw ups and regrets and returning to God. We see Noah, who's post-flood doesn't exactly fit that of a fine, upstanding man...
If we look at the advent story we see that God chose to use Mary to be the mother of Jesus - a young girl to mother the son of God. We see Joseph. A carpenter called to be the earthly father to the Son of God. Shepherds called to be the first ones on the scene.
Three decades later: Jesus calls fisherman. Jesus spreads his message through a Samaritan woman who had (up until the moment she encountered Jesus) lived a very sketchy life. Jesus used a tax collector (Matthew), a former prostitute (Mary), a former killer of Christians (Paul).
And there are many other examples. When I look at all the examples it makes me see that I fit pretty well into the crew. I fit right in as one who is flawed, who hasn't always been the person I wish I were, who continues to mess up and who spends a lot of time feeling like I'm not up to the task. And yet, Jesus uses us to be his body.
So, these thoughts lead me to questions about the body. How can we, New Hope, become the healthiest body possible? How do we better spur one another along toward good deeds? What does it mean to truly love one another to the point of laying our lives down for one another? What are the things we need to do within the body to show the world that Jesus is the one who makes all the difference in the world?
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3 comments:
It is great that God chooses those who don't think they have it all together. Goes back to Paul's sermon - He just wants a willing vessel.
I think one thing we must come to terms with is that we all have our own individual thoughts/views and ideas. We must respect each others differences; realizing we are all on the same, yet unique, journey. When we can get past the petty issue like, what church do you attend? What Bible version do you use? What political party do you side with? ...Then we can focus on the good we are called to do - and those looking in will see the peace that God brings.
Stacy,
Great point. I wonder why it is so easy (and sometimes gratifying) to argue and disagree than to let things be and simply respect each other. Maybe our identity erroneously gets caught up in those things we hold so tightly to?
I think one way we "lay down our lives for each other" is to recognize when we need to put out "stuff" aside and hold another up. Sometimes I suck at that, I want to focus on me, and all my heartaches, and worries. If I just lay my stuff down and focus on others not only does it help them, but allows us rest from our own worries, and heartaches.
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