I cupped his chin into one hand and made him look into my eyes.
God still loves you, buddy. He will never, ever stop loving you.
This boy of mine has a hard time remembering this. His sin is ever before him – that thorn in his side that has the potential to be his greatest gift when it’s channeled God’s way. But man, that fine line. Sometimes it only takes a split second for his passions to get derailed and take him down a road that he wishes he didn’t travel.
Me too, boy. Me too.
But oh, how he loves Jesus. He’s the same one I found crying in the middle of the night – not sick or scared – but weeping because he couldn’t get over the cross and what Jesus had done for him. Jesus gave for him, the one who loves so much and lives so passionately, but feels like he gets it wrong so often.
You need to know that I get it, buddy. It’s not just you…
He needs to hear that God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for a heart fully surrendered. Jesus came not just for the murderers and thieves. He came for the proud, the gossip, the money lover, and for every last hidden thought and motive that makes us cringe at the thought of exposure. He came for the ones who thought they only needed Him from afar; for the ones who thought that with enough striving they could get by on their own.
You can stop striving, son.
Instead… abide. Remember that it’s not about the perfect cover up. It’s about exposing our need to His perfect solution. We can search and try and look in a million other places, but nothing else will ever satisfy like Jesus. He loves like no other, He forgives like no other, He provides peace and hope and joy and freedom like no other. No more exhaustion on your own strength, boy. Lean in close and rest in the embrace of the One who has already done it all.
Listen boy, you’re not too far gone.
Don’t you dare listen to those lies. Jesus’s mercy transforms what the world calls too broken. His grace overflows, smoothing the rough edges and channeling our thorns into great purpose and humble service for Him… if we’ll only let Him. His power equips the weak and strengthens the weary for the task. God uses the most unlikely because our stories reveal His glory.
So son, turn your pride into praise.
It’ll never be about performance. Instead, let your life be marked by worship for the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Worthy is that Lamb – Friend to sinners; the One who rescued you and refines you; the One who never, ever changes. Embrace His amazing grace, and then make Him the hero of your story.
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 1:12-14
Girl, now it’s your turn.
You’re not too far gone. Oh, no. In fact, you’re just getting started…
At His feet,
This Fall, be the one to reach out, the one to extend the invitation…the one to initiate unity and community among your neighbors, co-workers, moms, sisters, and friends. Gather together and join us as we study 1st & 2nd Timothy for the next six weeks!
You can find our women’s and corresponding kids’ journals here:
Women’s journal: http://amzn.to/2uPvmOS (aff)
Children’s journal: http://amzn.to/2ub0VAA (aff)
I love that God doesn’t demand perfection but just my surrender to Him. My life is part of His amazing plan and He will use my story for His glory.
Good morning Anne! I too am so overwhelmingly thankful that to Jesus our imperfections are perfect, that if we open our hearts and let him in, he will fill every space! God is good!
Mondee~LGG Encourager
Love this post – so much hope, meaning, and inspiration. Praising God for this !
Paula,
Isn’t this a great message of hope and inspiration? So glad you are here with us today. God Bless You!
Such a great reminder today: Formally I was_______________, but I received mercy! (You fill in the blank). That mercy is for anyone! Thank our Lord Jesus Christ for extending it to me. I once was lost but now I’m saved!
Loved this post! Thank you ladies for this study. I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve spent in it.
Kay,
Thank you so much for your post and for joining us today! Yes, all of us who are perfectly imperfect can relate to this message of hope and inspiration. God Bless You!
I’m so grateful He turns my mess into His message! He loves me unconditionally and doesn’t quit on me. He extends His mercies, grace and forgiveness everyday. Thank you Jesus.
Adriana,
So glad you are here with us today! I love what you said, that he turned my mess into my message. Praise God for His forgiveness and mercy! God Bless You, sweet friend.
Oh Whitney, thanks! I am NOT too far gone, no one is! I seek Him every morning and thank Him that His mercies are new every morning. Paul! What a man of horrific crimes he was! And there was God’s grace and mercy overflowing?! We need only read all these testaments and realize – we are never too far gone! Thanks and God Bless!
Monica,
Isn’t this message of hope today wonderful? Thank you so much for your comments and for joining us today. You are so right, no one is too far gone! God accepts is just as we are, perfectly imperfect, and turns our mess into our message, and our tests into our testimonies. God Bless You!
I ‘m forever grateful that i will never be too far gone for God to stop loving me or being my Father, His promises in His Word are true and i can stand on it. Nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, all praise to HIM +
Cyndi,
Thank you for being with us and sharing from your heart. None of us is ever too far gone! God Bless You.
What a wonderful post!! I just had to say thank you to Whitney for this post. It really spoke to me. God bless.
I so happy that I did not miss the start of this study lesson. I remember all that God has given me for turning my wrong doings over to him. I struggle with taking charge of my life without letting God move first, and by returning my heart and sole to God this lesson would allow me to be obedient to his word and a great follower. I know I have a lot to learn from Paul the chief of sinners whom God had mercy on regardless of all the hate and wrong doings he did to Christians. What a great example of the true love that God has for his children to have mercy on Paul after killing those who believe in him, so I know that God truly left Paul message for us all. I want my heart sole to be so full of God that I can talk to any living sole about how he change my life without feeling discourage by the outcome of my testimonies, but be inspired by the life that it may change. I want to be like Paul to walk in my mess but be saved by my mistakes.
This is amazing — so beautifully written! Thank you for sharing your gift with us. <3
Sometimes I feel like I’ve gotten so of course when it comes to my relationship with God. I’ve let worldly things distract me, causing me to wonder if I’ll ever get it “right.” But how wonderful to know that God extends His grace to us each and every time we mess up….& oh how wonderful that He doesn’t demand perfection!! This was such a beautiful blog post…it spoke to me deeply.❤️
Audra,
I feel the exact same way as you do. Sometimes I feel like I fallen so far off track that I can’t get back. But, Jesus is always there to grab my hand and lead me back to the word, right back into God’s arms, forgiven and ready with a fresh start every time. This blog also spoke to my heart as well.
Whitney,
Thank you for this blog. It was well written and it spoke to my heart. This is my very first bible study with LGG. I know God wants me here because of the excitement I feel in my heart each time I log on to do my bible study. Also, how “coincidental” that the day that I discover this site is the first day of a brand new study! lol God wants me here with you lovely ladies. I strongly believe that. I’m hoping to make some new friends along the way. Regarding the message of Wed. blog I understand that if/when I come across a person that thinks that they are too bad. That they have done too many bad things in their lives that they could never be saved and go to heaven. I have a duty to share Paul’s story with them and let them know that “Christ came into this world to save sinners”. AMEN!
In my life I constantly struggle with the need to be perfect. I can’t help it, I’ve just always had this nagging feeling that if I’m not perfect then I am failing. How awesome and beautiful is it to surrender to an Almighty God that isn’t asking for perfect. He knows we all make mistakes and veer off course, and somehow by His Grace He still loves me the same. This post reminded me of that peace. Of knowing how wonderful our God is and how He is still working in all of our lives.
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