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Imperfection. Perfect For God....

by Shannon Heiden  
5/24/2009 / Devotionals

What you decide on will be done and light will shine on your ways. (Job 22:28 NIV)

Beautiful One, when the lights go out and the curtain comes down, will you be found wanting, or will you proudly take your last bow?

Have you ever pondered what the men and women in the Bible were really like? I mean really like, in their day. What were some of the issues that they had to deal with? Work, family, finances, relationships, and life issues in general. Were they really any different than you and me?

I recently had a conversation with a dear friend of mine who isn't saved, although he is very curious about the Lord. Especially since I entered the picture of his life. We were talking and I asked him exactly what he thought about church and Christians. He responded, "Only real good Christians can go to church and make it into heaven." At least that is what he had been led to believe during the course of his life. You see, my friend was raised in a Christian home, his parents are believers. Somewhere along his way, he hit a few roadblocks and hasn't recovered. He has a heart of gold but it is suffering from alcoholism that is perpetuated by his guilt and regret over his sister's untimely death from anorexia and bulimia.

Beautiful One, we all have issues. The only thing that separates a believer from an unbeliever is that our hope is in the living God and we have access to Him. Each of us have things come our way that we must deal with. Some of us fare better only because we have walked through the challenges of life and God has been faithful during these times. If we pay close attention to what my friend was telling me, we have an opportunity to peek into the minds and hearts of many that are out there: that one has to be downright near perfect to get in good with God.

That's simply not true.

If we look at the ones who have gone before us, we will see that God chose a wide array of characters with several different issues, each just as unique as the people themselves.

When God looks for that special someone who He can use and show himself through, my guess is, it won't be someone who has it all together. Because none of us do.

Although we like to think we do, the truth is; everyone is in need of a loving Savior who rescues us daily from the issues and storms of life. Let's take a look at some of the people God chose as an illustration.

Peter, he walked with Jesus for three years, but he was loud and had a swearing problem; not to mention, a temper. He was all too quick to draw his sword and cut a man's ear off just hours before he denied his Lord. Then there's John, who had a pride problem. He thought he was the only disciple Jesus loved. Matthew was a tax collector who cheated people out of their money. Our beloved Paul, who gave us more New Testament teaching from direct revelation from God himself, thought he was doing God a favor by hunting down His children and persecuting them. What about Moses? The great deliverer of the Hebrews. He had a speech impediment and was also a murderer. Abraham was a liar and feared man above God. He told a king Sarah was his sister not his wife. Let's not leave Jonah out. This precious one was downright mad that God wanted to save the people in Nineveh. He was so upset about it that he ran as far as he could so he didn't have to be the very vehicle in which God drove into that city to save them.

Beautiful One, there are many people who believe and feel the way my friend does. Maybe many Christians themselves feel this way.

We can change that.

You and I can take the truth and become living epistles read by all men. It's not about preaching a sermon to anyone who will listen. It's about accepting them right where they are. . .love instead of trying to change someone. That is God's job. It is our job to love. People will be drawn to a loving God when they can see His children walking in love. So when they come asking, and they will, we will be prepared to give them an answer.

Sometimes, we have to earn the right to speak into someone's life; that takes time since trust needs to be established. No matter how well intentioned we may be, others need to know we care before they care about what we have to say.

Today, take some time to evaluate how we are affecting the people God has placed in your path. Maybe there is someone you may know but have shied away from because they are annoying to you. May we never lose sight that we all can be annoying-to someone as well. Are we influencing others and inspiring them, peaking their curiosity about this God we love? Or, are we leaving them confused, scratching their heads as to how they would ever measure up and make it in good with God?

Had it not been for our Savior who loved us while we were yet sinners, where would any of us be anyway?

Beautiful One, just believe and let light shine on your ways, before the lights go out.......

Shannon Heiden
[email protected]
changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

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