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No-One Is Perfect
.
We all want to look
normal, and to think of ourselves as normal - but no matter how much good you
do in this life, you’re not perfect. Even the Bible has lots of people who made
big mistakes - and yet God used them and blessed them. And there are other
stories of weird families and messed-up people that we sometimes think are
perfect because they are featured in the Bible. we have all messed up and made
bad judgments - but God delights in using dysfunctional, imperfect people
Morning
Devotions
By
Chris Witts
Have
you ever met the perfect person?
I
haven’t, and most likely never will.
I like
the scene in the Jack Nicholson movie As Good as it Gets, when he
is wanting to help Carol, a young mother (played by Helen Hunt), and her sick
son.
Their
relationship is developing, but she finds him to be a difficult man.
In fact,
he is very offensive and rude to her.
Carol
finally cries to her own mother, “I just want a normal boyfriend”.
And her
mother says: “Oh, everyone wants one of those. There is no such thing,
dear”.
An
interesting observation, and so true.
Are you
a normal person? Is there such a thing anyway?
And
what does a normal person look like and how do they behave?
I think
one sign of a mature person is that they accept others as they are, warts and
all.
How sad
to see a young couple get married, for example, where either the bride or the
groom has the plan to change the other.
God Can Use Anyone
We all
want to look normal, and to think of ourselves as normal.
But no
matter how much good you do in this life, you’re not perfect.
Even
the Bible has lots of people who made big mistakes.
There
are mixed-up people in the Bible, and yet the amazing thing is that God used
them and blessed them.
Let me
remind you of some.
Cain is
jealous of Abel and kills him.
Isaac,
Abraham’s son, plays favourites between his sons Jacob and Esau, and they’re
bitter enemies for 20 years.
Jacob
plays favourites between Joseph and his other 11 sons, and the brothers want to
kill Joseph and finally sell him into slavery.
And
there are other stories of weird families and messed-up people that we
sometimes think are perfect because they are featured in the Bible.
So,
what is the Bible trying to say?
I think
God is saying that we have all messed up and made bad judgements.
The
Bible says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray…” (Isaiah 53:6).
And in
the New Testament we read, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God” (Romans 3:23).
We have
missed the mark that God intended for us from the beginning when Adam and Eve
rebelled and disobeyed God’s request.
And
from that time on, no-one was born perfect except Jesus the Son of God.
But the
amazing fact is God delights in using dysfunctional, imperfect people.
An Unusual Job Application
They
had interviewed a number of candidates, and no-one seemed suitable.
They
were getting a bit tired and weary of the whole business, until a young lady on
their committee said, I’ve got an application I want to read:
To the
pastoral search committee:
It is
my understanding that you have a vacancy in your pulpit, and I would like to
apply for the position.
I can’t
say that I preach too well. In fact, I tend to stutter when I speak. I do have
a lot of different experiences I could share with you, since I am over 75 years
old.
I have
only just recently had an encounter with God and, despite my initial resistance
to the idea, I heard a Voice which told me personally that I was the one to do
the ministry for you. One never knows when God will appear right before your
very eyes.
As far
as people skills go, I do tend to lose my temper every once in a while. I also
tend to want things done my way, and can get violent if it’s not taken care of right
away.
Once I
even killed somebody. But since I know you are gracious people, I know you will
believe me when I say that’s all behind me now.
I
intend on showing up there in a few weeks to lead you into a brighter future.
Although I was reluctant at first to work with you, I still feel called to be
with you nonetheless.
The
committee member glanced up at the rest of the group. Well, what do you
think? Can this person be our leader or not? The rest of the committee
was aghast.
Have an
old, arrogant,
temperamental, obviously neurotic, ex-murderer as their pastor?
temperamental, obviously neurotic, ex-murderer as their pastor?
Was
this committee member crazy? Who signed the letter of introduction? Who had
such colossal nerve?
The
committee member eyed them all keenly before she answered, It’s
signed, Moses. She made her point.
God’s
ways are not our ways, and he can use anyone he wishes — even those we think
are not qualified, like Moses.
Morning
Devotions is a five-minute daily reflection for anyone curious about faith, or
looking for encouragement in their walk with God. In his warm and friendly
style, presenter Chris Witts — a well-loved Salvation Army minister — shares
bite-sized messages applying faith to everyday life.
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