Blog

• mercy
• stickyparts
• thorns
• grace

I can be my own worst critic and my own worst enemy. I know most of my flaws intimately and often recognize them just after they have raised their ugly heads. Then, I beat myself up for having hurt others through my own failings.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Keenly aware of my shortcomings, the “falling short” aspect feels like a two-year-old trying to jump as high as a seven-foot basketball player and falling way short.

The beautiful thing is that no matter if we are two-foot-two or seven-foot-two, God makes up the difference. The blood of His Son washes over any and all of our sticky parts, shortcomings, failures, thorns in our flesh, or missteps. And His love is what compels us to learn from those mistakes and strive to do better in the future (2 Cor. 5:14-15). His sacrifice makes it possible for us to be seen by God as blameless and pure (Heb 10:14). He is even able to cleanse our conscience (Heb. 10:22)!

Christ’s crown of thorns eliminates the shame from the thorns in my life.

If the thorn in your life is a sin, yes, it needs to be removed. But God can still use you, through your confession and repentance to bring Him glory. He can use your testimony about that thorn to draw others to Him.

If the thorn in your life is a challenge you wish you didn’t have to face, remember that His grace is sufficient for you and that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Own and boast in your thorn, not in a prideful way, but in a way that allows God’s power to shine even brighter through your life.

When we are dealing with our “sticky parts,” remember that God loves you, sticky parts and all. He sent His Son to redeem you, cleanse you, and usher you into a sanctified life through Christ. His mercies that are new every morning mean that we are not treated as our “sticky parts” deserve. Rather, through His grace, not through our own efforts or merit, or as a competition of who has fewer sticky parts, God offers us a free gift of redemption, cleansing, and freedom. May we find rest in those promises when we are overly critical of our “sticky parts.”

And if you do not yet know the freedom found through the sacrifice of His Son, we would love to put you in touch with someone who can study the Bible with you locally or virtually.

• findyourfunction
• youdoyourpart

Written by an anonymous volunteer.

"I do not want to see anybody." Have you felt like this? That all you want is to be as far away from everyone as possible? Your life is full of threads that connect you to many people. "How can I be independent?" The answer is: "You can't." We depend on each other.

God designed you perfect. Yes! Just as you are: the color of your skin, the place where you live, the way you have grown up; all that is part of you, of what defines your person. You are part of a wonderful whole. Your role in the universe is a key piece, and the development of the potential for which you have been designed will help everything to work better.

Surely you have heard the expression that says, "The universe conspires to achieve what you really want ..." Think for a moment, without excuses, about your role in the Body of Christ, the Church.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.” (Rom. 12:4)

What is your function? We are called to serve. The moment you gave your life to Christ, you promised to give Jesus all the authority over your life. But are you giving Him all the authority? It is easier to understand Christ as the Savior, the Redeemer, or as The King. You are not in control! It is Jesus, your King, who has all the authority in your life. Decide to be part of His plan. Don't you find it wonderful? It is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together (you are one) and seeing the whole picture, with all the shades and details. When your function in the body is fulfilled, then you will rest.

One of the struggles of the human being (more for women) is the tendency to compare to others. "I would like to sing like her ..." "I wish I could teach like that ..." This feeling of, "I'm not like her ..." is very dangerous. It is good that you are not like her! Each of us is unique, to be used as living and polished stones, in the temple or house of God.

There is diversity of gifts and functions within the Body, the Church. God is the same. Your God is my God and that makes the difference. The Spirit that you have is the same that I have. In 1 Corinthians 12, the body of Christ is compared to the physical body. This reminds me of the brother who had an accident at work and lost a small part of his finger. It hurts. He misses it. He realized that even that part was useful. It is gone.

Where are you? Are you working for the Body?

Your King and Lord commands you: "Go, and make disciples of all nations." Let us be witnesses to that cross, where grace and justice met, where your burdens and mine were released, where love and forgiveness echo wonderfully. Let us be carriers of the truth, the truth that interrupted time.

I invite you to do your part, to fulfill your role and share your faith, today. There is no other who can do it like you do.