Thursday, October 28, 2010

Love

I led worship at a women's conference last year. The speaker was great, inspirational and all that you would expect from that type of event. But on her resume was Christian college, pastor husband, kids that had troubles but had overcome them, etc. I certainly don't want to diminish a person's struggles or cheapen their victory over them. But you know what I was saying in my own head as I listened....Yeah, but.....

Yeah, but. It's the doubt that God can really forgive ME. Sure He can forgive all you, but ME?? Sure Conference Speaker Lady, you called on the God of second chances and He came through for you. Yeah, but me? I need the God of fifteen chances. I had great intentions every time I stood back up after a fall, but I KEEP FALLING!!! God, surely one of these times you will say to me, "Forgiveness DENIED."

This is why I love Josh Hamilton....you don't have to be a sports fan to love the heart of this story. He IS a phenom. Amazing athlete. Watch the video to get a little background. But guess what...He fell again. He gave into temptation, again....after all his "God rescued me from it all" He fell. Now THAT is something to which I can relate.

The scripture Josh referred to is James 4:7. Crack out your bible and read it...and keep going. More on that in a second...I don't know of anything more humbling than standing in front of the WORLD and admitting your failings. This is what Josh chose to do, he relapsed and he confessed.... AND his teammates rallied around him. The David vs. Goliath nature of his team the Rangers battling against the Yankees just adds to the drama!! The Rangers hired someone to keep Josh accountable, to be with him, to help him. Out of respect for Josh, the team replace the traditional champagne celebration with Ginger Ale. They love Josh and don't want him to fail.

You know what that's called? Love. That's what love does. Since you had your bible out anyway go to 1 Corinthians 13 and read what love looks like. Does Josh's story move you on some really deep level like it does me?? Here is what I think the reason is. We all know it's just a matter of time before our veneer wears out, our imperfection will be shown, we make a mess out of everything. We need a love that will not fail us, that will be there and not judge us. I need a love that knows EVERYTHING about me and still smiles when it sees me. God invented love and he made the rules. This is how love is.

So we read about humility, this is just being honest about who we are. God goes on to tell us in James
4:8-10, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." If we are just honest, God gives us His promise that He will draw near to us and exalt us. Like the ultimate drill sergeant, we get broken down so God can build us back up into what He created us to be. He builds us back up into a closer likeness of His son, Jesus.

That is a cause for celebration. Somebody break out the Ginger Ale!!

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