I’ve been working on a few projects lately. I have a mission and I’ve been working diligently at fulfilling it. Today, I was working on one of my projects called ‘Inspire A Soul.’ I was at the printing company working on putting my poems together that people are requesting. Today I was cutting, laminating, and signing. As I cut and trimmed, I noticed that the finished product was not straight. No matter how hard I trimmed, I just couldn’t seem to get the edges straight.
I became a little frustrated. They had to be perfect or at least as close to perfect as they can be. In the midst of cutting, trimming, and frustration, it was like I heard God say, “Flawed, but with a flawless message, just like you.” It got my attention. Immediately, I realized that my attention had shifted from the message that I was trying to send out- it shifted to the package that I was trying to present the message in. Hmm… stay with me ’cause you know what happen next. I started thinking about my life and how in so many ways I have shifted trying to perfect the package- trying to present the package in a way that people will receive in order to get the message. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t think you should present yourself in any old kind of way. What I am saying is that we cannot get so caught up and consumed in the package that we never present the message that God has given us to give.
God knows we have flaws yet He still entrusted us with a powerful, valuable and flawless message. We have a message of hope. We have a message proclaiming God’s love and His ability to see folks through hard times. We have a good news message that must be told.
In my pursuit of becoming a person of optimal health, do I wait until I am at my ideal weight before I share the message? Or could the message include what God has done and my expectation of what He has promised to do in my life? Do I wait until I am transformed or do I allow people to see the transforming power of God right before their eyes? Do I wait until I have the title “Dr.” before my name before I articulate the love of God? Having that title may make one “feel” more valuable and received but what if I never get that title? Am I not just as valuable? Does it make the message of God ineffective? Does it negate the power of the Word? Do I wait until I am a best selling author or do I wait until I am invited to the Oprah Show before I start communicating? God’s message that He wants to send is just as effective with or without our perfections, titles,… Why? Because the message, although sent through us, is not about us. Let me state that again. The message, although sent through us, is not about us.
I’m reminded of Peter’s character flaws. He was a disciple of Christ. He hung out with Jesus. Peter could be a hot head at times. In addition, he was fearful, he wrestled with who he was, he denied Christ and he struggled with guilt. However, he was still used mightily of God. Peter was able to reach many people with his God given message and God ordained purpose. The Apostle Paul didn’t try to be perfect before he delivered the message God placed in him. As a matter of fact, he said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
So needless to say, I kept packaging up my poems. As a matter of fact, I kind of smiled at their flaws because I had gotten the revelation that God had packed a powerful message right there in the midst of the flaws. Wow!
OK, here comes the challenge. I challenge you this weekend and upcoming week to look past your flaws. (They don’t define you anyways). Get an understanding that this is not all about you! I challenge you to get an understanding of just how powerful the message is that God has put on the inside of you. While He is perfecting us, He still uses us. In the midst of our human flaws, God can and does still use us to carry forth a powerful witness, a potent word and perfected praise. Wow, what an awesome God we serve!
Until next time, Stay encouraged and Stay in His presence!
Wendy M. Reynolds
