Too Busted Up for God?
Well, my stars, Butterbean, git right over here and pull up one o’ them ol’ porch rockin’ chairs and be ‘a-makin’ sure you git to swattin’ that there mean lil’ pesky mosquito off’n your elbow, ‘cause we’re ‘a-steppin’ into some holy truth sweeter than cornbread fresh outta the iron skillet. Romans 5:8 is ‘a-tellin’ us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That there truth is like discoverin’ that the old muddy pond out back, the one only good for frogs and mosquito families, has been ‘a-hidin’ a fresh spring ‘a-bubblin’ underneath it. Dip past the muddle and you’ll be ‘a-findin’ water so clean and cold it’ll be ‘a-makin’ your eyebrows stand at attention. God’s love works the same way. Right when we’re ‘a-lookin’ as hopeless as a calf ‘a-tryin’ to ice skate uphill, He done reveals a love real pure, steady, and stronger than we ever expected.
Do you ever git to ‘a-feelin’ like you’re too busted up for God to be ‘a-usin’ you? Like at a county fair you’d be less like the blue ribbon sheep and more like the ol’ confused barn cat ‘a-lookin’ for a warm nap spot. Butterbean, hear this. Every single person God ever done used was ‘bout as ready as a bunch of folks ‘a-learnin’ to square dance for the very first time. Not a single one of ‘em stepped onto the floor ‘a-knowin’ all the moves or ‘a-rememberin’ which foot to start with. They were steppin’ on toes, turnin’ the wrong way, and bumpin’ into each other, but the Caller patiently kept right on ‘a-leadin’ ‘em. And little by little, they done learnt to be ‘a-followin’ His voice. That’s jes’ how God done works with us, too.
Moses had a temper ‘a-scorchin’ biscuits. David made choices that’d git him kicked off’n church committees. Peter denied Jesus faster than a possum ‘a-scootin’ under a shed. Paul done persecuted believers like a bull ‘a-chasin’ a red bucket, then was hounded like a stray mule ‘a-wanderin’ through a jalapeno pepper patch. Yet God used ‘em all ‘cause His grace is bigger than our mess.
Second Corinthians 4:7 says we’re jars of clay, plain ol’ vessels, not fancy china ‘a-sittin’ in a cabinet. God chooses to be ‘a-pourin’ His power into folks who feel as sturdy as a porch swing hangin’ by one rusty chain, so everybody sees the strength ain’t ‘a-comin’ from us. It’s ‘a-comin’ from Him.
We’re ‘a-pretendin’ we’ve got it all together, ‘a-slappin’ on Sunday attitudes like we’re foolin’ the squirrels. But God already knows we’re ‘a-messin’ up and ‘a-stumblin’. We gotta be ‘a-stoppin’ our waitin’ to be good enough. We’ll never be shinier than a mud-splattered piglet, and God’s fine with that. Your story might be the rope somebody needs to be ‘a-climbin’ out their ditch.
Father, thank You for lovin’ us while we were still sinners. Thank You for usin’ cracked pots, dented buckets, and wobbly-legged sheep like us. Be ‘a-helpin’ us trust Your grace more than our flaws. Be ‘a-usin’ our broken places to be ‘a-shinin’ for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, Buttercup, as you wander on back into your day, be ‘a-knowin’ God ain’t ‘a-lookin’ for perfect folks. He’s ‘a-lookin’ for willing ones. Even a limpin’ ol’ mule can be plowin’ a straight row if the Farmer’s holdin’ the reins. And if He could be ‘a-usin’ a talkin’ donkey in the Old Testament, He can surely be ‘a-usin’ you before suppertime.
With joy,
Gwen
