We spend a lot of time tearing down the human race. We remind ourselves of the sin and fleshly desires we have. We remind ourselves of our mistakes and anger issues. We remind ourselves of our selfishness and pride. It's true: We're not perfect.
But we forget that God created us. We forget that God created us in His image.
The human race includes mothers who love with a love so deep it compares to nothing else. The human race is one that sees hope in the midst of pain and perseveres to their goal. The human race contains some who, when others are in danger, place themselves in the same danger in order to help them. This world holds creators and achievers, dreamers and persevere-ers. This world holds children of God.
Yes we mess up. Yes we sin. Yes we, as the church, can do a whole-stinkin'-lot better. But we are always pointing out the fact that we are sinners that we can sometimes use this as an excuse not to move forward.
God can look at the human race and see the sinbags that we are. Or He can look and see His children. And for those who are called according to His purpose, I have a feeling He sees us as the latter. He saved us. He doesn't continue to look upon our sin. He forgives it! He puts it behind Him! He sweeps it under the mat! (okay you get the point).
We can too.
I want to change the world. Or at least my little corner of the world. But I can't do that if I'm constantly reminding myself of the mistakes I've made in the past. I've been redeemed. I have the potential, through Christ, to change the culture around me.
And so do you.
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight," (Ephesians 1:4).
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him,'" (Lamentations 3:22-24).
