I saw this online somewhere and thought it would be a great encouragment to many of you out there. (It was to me) Too often we feel attacked by the enemy who wants to tell us that we aren't worth anything.. that we've made too many mistakes, that we still make too many mistakes. That we are nothing but self-loving,dishonest, stupid, ugly, and evil at heart. Well, that may be true! But look what God did with people just like you and me. See if you can find yourself among these spiritual giants. And if not, add one of your own at the end.
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan Woman was divorced and living with a man
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer
Lazarus was dead
And I added my own: MaryLu was a divorced, promiscuous drunk (And look how he's using me!)
Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. ~1 Corinthians 1:26-29
If you have one of your own you'd like to add, please do. Don't be embarassed or shy. I've told you what I was. The reason? To give God and only God the glory for what I've become and what I'm on my way to becoming.
Be encouraged today. And go out and do HUGE things for God.
Sheri is a daughter of divorced parents (who split the church with their divorce)
ReplyDeleteGod can and will use us!
He's more concerned with a willing heart than with who or what you were. :o)
PS. I won the purple shadows story contest!!!! :o)
Monday, May 16th ....
ReplyDelete"Morning, MaryLu."
Brenda is a widow, fearful to 'step out' to witness/share about the Lord; and far too concerned with 'what others think' ... instead of caring "only" about what God thinks !
I am quite sure that the list could go on and on ... trust me, there are many more things I could add to my "personality-self-destructing" list !!! I have NO self-confidence, whatsoever !!!
It is humbling and beautiful ... though, that the Lord would "want" me, and, to use me for His honour and glory !!! Stepping "out in faith" ... that is what I need to learn to do !!! Let God, and let go.
I appreciate your honesty and transparency with us all. Thank-you for sharing from your heart, MaryLu. And yes, to God be the glory ... for the changes in your life (and all of our lives) ... and to 'what' we are still becoming !!!
Take care, and, God Bless,
In Him, Brenda Hurley
Oh, I so appreciate everyone's honesty! We are all such wounded creatures, aren't we? Brenda, Moses was extremely insecure too. And Gideon. You are not so different from these men. God can use any of us if we make ourselves available to Him!
ReplyDeleteSheri I didn't know that about your parents. That can be such a stigma in the church. But Praise God you have overcome it! And HUGE contrats on winning a story contest!!!
@Sheri: Congrats on winning..... and I saw your post on the crew's blog. You are a strong and blessed lady. In your own words, 'God can and will use us'. God bless you.
ReplyDelete*********
MaryLu, on Facebook (where too many people see it) I posted a response to this. I am going to add another one here, because it is just this community(people who don't know me personally) that will see it....
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Debbie was molested as a child and grew up shy and afraid of the male race. (and here I am, married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren!)
It took me years to be able to talk about this. And just so you know, it was a stranger, not a family member. Thank you so much for your posts and your honesty.
God bless you,
Your Ship's Chaplain,
Debbie
Debbie, I'm humbled by your honesty. Thank you for sharing that with us. I know there's someone who will read this and be touched for God. You are such a witness of His mercy and grace! Such faith in overcoming such a tragic event. What the devil meant for harm, God turned around for good in your life. As a testimony of His wonderful love. Thank you for being a willing vessel poured out for His honor. I feel so blessed to have such incredible Christ followers on my blog. God truly brought all of us together.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MaryLu. *tears in my eyes* I do feel blessed.
ReplyDeleteNicole is insecure and cares too much about what others think. She also worries constantly about her friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI have too many insecurities, especially at school. I'm constantly trying to "fit in" the way others do and not do anything they'd look down on me for.
I also worry so, so much about my family and friends, as a lot of problems have started to come up with all of the people I love the most.
One last one: Nicole feels like no matter how well she does in anything, it's never good enough. For example, if I go for a few days without fighting with my sister, and then we have a minor argument, it's like the past few days had just been erased from memory. I feel like my parents never focus on the good in my life, only the bad. I spend more time being chastised for a small fight than being complimented on something good I've done.
I know God listens, and I can see Him moving in my life to draw me towards better things, things for His glory. That's a comfort to me. Sometimes, though, I just want someone in my life to listen to me and understand what I'm going through.
This blog today has been a great comfort - to know that there are others that feel like me out there, but to also know that we serve an awesome God who is using us all for His glory! Thank you for the encouragement, MaryLu!
God bless,
Nicole S.
MaryLu I was sitting at my computer beating myself up inside over my selfishness my need to worry over everything ,wondering how God could love me and then I read your post God Bless you it made me take a step back and realize he does love us all and can use us all for his Glory
ReplyDeleteyour honesty and sharing mean so much Blessings Bette
Nicole, you couldn't have described me in my younger years any better that your description of yourself. I have dealt with insecurity, anxiety and fear my entire life. I was never popular at school, never fit in, and never felt good enough at anything. And see how God has used me! I have to remind myself daily that God loves me and doesn't see my faults and mistakes. They are covered in the blood of his Son. God tells us to forget the past (that includes even the last second) Forget our past mistakes, sins, faults.. for behold he is doing a new thing! A new thing in you and in your heart and family. Lean on Him. Talk to Him. He listens, He understands and He cares.
ReplyDeleteBette, so glad the post blessed you. You too, could have described me. Selfishness and worrying. Two of my biggest faults! I battle with both daily. But He who has begun a good work in us will complete it till the day of Christ Jesus! Keep going forward.
Love and hugs to my sisters in Christ!
Sasafras is ugly and unwanted. Ditzy, clutzy, and a failure. Friends forsake her, family rebukes her. Struggles to maker herself better and falls back every time.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a reason in all of this, it's just a little hard for me to see right now. I've felt so small in the faith these past few weeks, but somewhere there's still a tiny flicker of light in me that has hope that I will succeed, I will change, all with God's help.