Value

Day 22

In "Awesome", we wrote about celebration and how our celebration should be a natural sign of our appreciation for all God has done.  If we do not see a need to celebrate maybe we do not understand the value of the gift we have received.  If we see ourselves as all sufficient what purpose does God have in our lives?

The grace and mercy which believers celebrate are the very things others struggle to accept.  In recognizing God's greatness, why is it important we see our faults?  Is it possible to have self esteem and follow Jesus?  Have you ever had a friend who did everything better than you?  You're a pretty fair shade tree mechanic, your friend builds hot rods from junk.  You enjoy singing, your friend plays piano, guitar, and writes music.  You make a good living, your friend owns his own jet.  A relationship which points out all you lack in comparison can be difficult.  Unfortunately, this is the view some of have of God.  "Why would I want to be in a relationship with him, I feel pretty good about myself until I compare myself to Him."

Have you seen the oil soaked pelicans from the gulf?  Pelicans were created to fly and to fish.  They are graceful in the air and more efficient fishers than any fisherman.  However, an oil soaked pelican can neither fly or fish.  The pelican is not capable of understanding the source of the trouble or restoring flight. Without the skilled hands of a compassionate worker to carefully clean and restore it the oil soaked pelican will surely die.  We are like an oil soaked pelican.  We were born for a purpose, a much greater purpose than we may ever realize. However, we are also born into sin and without God's mercy and grace we will surely die.

God does not draw our attention to our flaws so we will feel insignificant.  God draws our attention to our flaws so we may discover our significants.  When we place ourselves in His hands and permit him to remove the muck we are restored to our purpose and we are able to soar with the eagles (pelicans).  God wants to reclaim everyone stained with sin, but we must recognize the need and seek healing before restoration can begin.  We are saddened by the sight of the dead oil soaked pelican washed ashore on the beach, if only we could have reached it in time.  Imagine how grieved God is to see the ones he loves suffering and dying before realizing their purpose.

Connections will have the courage to see what we lack and freely submit to God.  We will encourage those we serve to recognize their sin and be washed clean.  Through God's grace and mercy Connections and those we serve will fulfill our purpose.  True freedom is available for all who recognize the mire and muck.  We will fly.

Read the following passage.  When the woman willingly places herself in the care of Jesus she recognizes her sin and receives the blessing of forgiveness.  Her appreciation for God is deep and she freely expresses it.  Are you like the woman or like the Pharisee?  Are you willing to recognize the muck and submit to God's care or are you self sufficient and blind to your circumstance.  Those unwilling to see the need for a savior will surely die.  Come, celebrate with the redeemed and discover freedom. 

Luke 7:36-50 (New International Version)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

 ³⁶Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. ³⁷When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. ³⁹When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
 ⁴⁰Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
      "Tell me, teacher," he said.
 ⁴¹"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴²Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
 ⁴³Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
      "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
 ⁴⁴Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
 ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
 ⁴⁹The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
 ⁵⁰Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."