As Christians, we need to remember that we don't have to be perfect in our presentation of the Gospel, simply honest and trusting in God. No matter how smooth and polished, words don't save, and God doesn't look for perfect vessels to carry his love and message, just willing ones. If you need a few examples: Moses had killed a man in Anger, King David committed adultery and had her husband slain, Paul had a checkered past (persecuted Christians before his conversion), Matthew was a tax collector, Jonah initially refused to follow God's instructions.
I'm sure there are even more examples that escape me at this late hour, but just know that if you're not perfect, you're in pretty good company, and if you are willing, God can and will use you.
Now over to more talented writers:
As Posted on Our Daily Bread, www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml, 4/9/2008
In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: "Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man" (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of "an oyster man."
He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands." The preacher added, "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into . . . sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."
Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory. — Cindy Hess Kasper
3 comments:
Beautiful and so true. We generally are able to make our deepest connections through our weakness. Unfortunetly we often try to put a perfect facade on our lives so no one will see our weakness. We are just fighting God's power when we do that.
James, I'm pretty sure I've missed a couple of your posts. I'm sorry- I like reading them, but have been a bit busy.
Anyway- friggin' great post today. Loved it! Took me a long time as a pastor to understand this. People would want to serve and then I'd think of their shortcomings and not use them. How Pharisaical is that? Esp. considering it's ME- BIG HAIRY SINNER- doing the judging?
There should be some standards in terms of love for God and witness before the world, but still- God can't use perfect people because, #1- there are none! And, #2- when God uses imperfect people, God alone gets the glory. (2 Cor.4:7).
Brian,
Based on what you've posted on your blog, I'd venture to say you have plenty of reasons to have not read my recents posts, and quiet honestly, except for praising my wife's accomplishments, I don't think I've posted much of any consequence lately. Not that I ever do.
You and your family remain in my prayers.
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