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I’m a Christian. Most of you know that. If you go to church with me, have ever been involved in one of my ministries, listened to my testimony…you know it. If you work with me…you know it. In fact, there are many of you who read my blog, are my friends on facebook, follow me on twitter, etc – who are not Christian yet know that I am.
Do I put it in your face that I am a Christian? No…why? Can we just be honest here? I’m not perfect. I yell at my wife…sometimes the words I have said are not so rosy…I have a short fuse when I am stressed…and hid the fact that I smoked for years from my wife. (Smoke free for over 5 years now, though.)
Does it suprise you? It shouldn’t … none of us are perfect.
“Moses stuttered. David’s armor didn’t fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea’s wife was a prostitute. Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. “Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul — well, lots of folks did. “But God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He’s more our Father than our Boss. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God‘s gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be wonderful. Satan says, “You’re not worthy.” Jesus says, “So what? I AM.” Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn’t calculate what you did in ’78. It’s not even on the record. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us in spite of who we are, where we’ve been, or what we look like. I pray that, as believers, we will step out of our limitations into the unlimited nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate Him will make short work of our limitations.”
You see, its not expected that I be perfect…but that I try to live a Christ-like life. If that means to you that I am nicer to you than the average guy…fantastic. If it means you enjoy hearing me sing…awesome. If it means that you think I am without blame…you are badly mistaken.
If you think that God expects you to be perfect…you are mistaken. Wanna know more truth about God’s love for you — the imperfect you? Read here.
That’s my two cents for the night. Take it for what its worth…the yield is far greater!
