Raggedy and Still Worthy

Many times we feel that our worth is tied to our status in life, our accomplishments, and our material possessions. However, the older I get, the more I realize that worth has nothing to do with any of those things. If you are to take a tour of the Bible and read the testimonies of the saints and prophets of old, you would realize that they were often not "fit" for what God was calling them to do. Often "fit-ness" is equated to the level of suitability to complete a particular task. We judge based on the outward appearance, but don't you just love that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)? I do! I am glad God does not consider my education or my credit score or the size of my house or the newness of my car when He decides to call me into the Kingdom. Can I shout right here?!?!? Thank you, Jesus! 

Many of the past saints wouldn't qualify based on our present day superficial standards. Moses killed a man before God called him to greatness. And yet, God still called him. Abraham lied several times and pretended that Sarah was his sister, yet God called him to be the father of many nations. Listen speaking of Abraham, Sarah took matters into her own hands and had her husband sleep with a concubine to fulfill the promise of God, yet God still blessed her seed and prospered her and Abraham. And God in His unfailing love and faithfulness,  even offered a blessing to Abraham and Haggai's illegitimate child.  God can bless your mess.

Have you considered David? A man after God's own heart. I love David. David was a worshiping warrior. He fought battles and won for God, but when he saw beautiful Bathsheba, he decided that he must have her. He took matters into his own hands and had her husband killed after he slept with her and got her pregnant.

Have you read the account of Jacob, the trickster? He was conniving. He tricked his own brother out of his birthright. He was not what we would consider a great man, but God blessed his loins to produce the 12 tribes of Israel, God's chosen people. 

Saul was the master of persecution. He took great joy in persecuting the church (Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:9). When the people killed Stephen by stoning him to death, they laid their clothes at Saul's feet, and yet after his conversion, his name changed to Paul and he did mighty works for the Kingdom of God. He preached salvation and the good news to the Gentiles. He was sold out for God. 

By all accounts, we would refer to these people as raggedy today. They are liars, cheaters, adulterers, killers and many of them were plain old disobedient. But listen, God used each one of them. He used each one of their raggedy selves. Aren't you glad that even at your lowest, God can use you? Aren't you glad that people's standards are not the standards of God? I used to hear the old saints say, I am so glad that people don't have a heaven or a hell to put me in. 

We are all raggedy, but you know what? God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Are you shouting yet? If not, go ahead and take a 30 second praise break. God had a perfect sacrifice for the sinners. His son, Jesus paid it all in an old rugged cross. 

If you are alive today, you have a past. You may have fallen into all or some of the categories - a liar, a cheat, an adulterer, a prostitute, but God still calls you worthy. He says before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5). It doesn't matter what others say about you. What does God say about you? You are the child of the most High God, you are blessed in the city, blessed in the field, a royal priesthood, daughters of the King. You are loved, worthy and full of purpose. 

We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but you are justified by His grace - His unmerited favor. Today take the titles that the world has given you off and take the limits off of God. He can do exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20) in your life. Look at the record of the saints mentioned above. Live in the Red Today ~ Remember that you are loved and forgiven! 

#Loved

#Forgiven

#StillWorthy