Maybe no one will notice. I turned the coffee table so that the flaw would be less visible to the members of our Bible study. Still, my friend Wendy spotted the little notches and I had to admit our son had cut his first teeth there earlier that week. She smiled and said, “Oh, now you’ll never be able to get rid of that table; those marks are precious.”
Most of us live with dents, scratches, and other “marks” on our hearts and minds—you know, the embarrassing stuff from past mistakes. The problem is, sometimes we think God can’t or won’t use us in ministry because of these imperfections.
Paul openly recounted his dark past in a letter to his protégé, Timothy. He said, “Christ Jesus . . . appointed me to serve Him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted His people” (1:12-13).
Although Paul was aware of these prior offenses, he understood that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This new life is a product of God’s mercy, which is available to all of us who know Him through Christ. God transforms lives that are marked with addiction, immorality, and even abuse. He does this so that He can use us “as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners” (1 Timothy 1:16).
Did you ever stop and think that God wants to use you in ministry specifically because of your past, not in spite of it? In His eyes, our marks are precious. “He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can go and do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).
More:
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Next:
Have you allowed feelings of inadequacy to prevent you from serving Christ? Why could God view past mistakes as precious marks to be shared, rather than imperfections to be hidden?
Danya on November 23, 2009 at 10:56 am
Today’s devotions was perfect for me. I am feeling more encouraged than ever to share my past with others. My shame has been turned into gratitude. Also my belief and faith that my sweetheart will some day turn his life over to the Lord has become stronger as well. I truly believe God has a plan for both of us and I know it is a good plan. After, that is what is word says!
jennifer benson schuldt on November 23, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Danya, God can use the story of our life, no matter how “imperfect” we consider it to be. He is a God of grace, mercy and forgiveness. I’m so thankful for that!
As a word of encouragement–my father was unsaved when he met and married my mom. Later, my dad accepted Christ and became a wonderful spiritual leader in our home. 🙂
Danya on November 24, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Jennifer, thanks so much for the encouraging words. Please keep my sweetheart in prayer for his salvation. You can reference him as Danya’s sweetheart (we both know our all-knowing God knows his name and the number of hair strands he has on his head)!
melody on November 24, 2009 at 12:04 am
Praise the Lord! i was been blessed with His Word today. it reminds me of how precious am i to Him. truly, that the Lord never require us to be perfect but He wants us to be honest to Him. no matter what we did to Him, still His love for us never changed. it was indeed, a great love.
As the Bible says, ” forgetting what lies behind, setting our hearts on the prize… always keeping our eyes on our Lord, Jesus.!”…
jennifer benson schuldt on November 24, 2009 at 8:35 am
You are precious to Him! And, He knows that we will never be perfect, but He wants us to keep following Him. Jesus was the only perfect human and there will never be another person like Him! May God bless and keep you today and always.
lyndygayle on November 24, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I used to grieve my childhood and wonder how God could have allowed adults to treat me and my siblings the way we were treated. Now, I consider it training to help others in similar situations. I have empathy and understanding that I would never had before. God has redeemed my childhood to allow me to be a better counselor to others. With God, NOTHING is ever a waste/wasted. Praise God!
jennifer benson schuldt on November 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Sometimes it’s a long journey from the hurt we experience in childhood to healing through Christ in our adult years. Your comment about empathy reminded me of this scripture: “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4