Who Can God Use

We read from the gospel of Matthew (1:1-16) yesterday morning. There’s a similar story in Luke (3:23-38) and we could have just as well read that, but for some reason I chose to go with Matthew. And probably for the same reason (the one that starts with ‘I don’t have a clue’) I chose to read from the New International Version. Could have read the “begats’ from the King James, or read how Abraham had Isaac who had Jacob in the Message, but I went with the NIV.

Matthew starts with Abraham and works his way down to “Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ”. Luke starts with Jesus, “the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,” and works his way backward to “Adam, the Son of God’. Basically the same thing in each account: Jesus is assumed to be the son of Joseph; and these long lists comprise Joseph’s family tree. Two long lists, one longer than the other, but they both tell the same basic story: the lineage of Jesus, which along the way shows the connection to David required by the Messianic Prophecies.

Now included in each of these lists are some pretty strange people; strange in the sense of how in the world did they get to be included in Jesus’ family tree. There are liars, cheats, thieves and all sorts of unsavory people in that lineage, and we spent some time talking about how God can use the most unlikely people for His purposes. And I admit that when it comes to strange and unlikely, I have to raise my hand. Actually I should raise both of them, but God still uses me…

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve come across this idea in several places: a magazine article, a blog or two, a couple of tweets, and tonight in a book I was skimming through to see if I want to buy it. (Still haven’t decided but probably yes). And one of the main sub-points is that Satan tells us that because of our past, God could never use us. God on the other hand, says that He uses us despite our past.

So if God can use us regardless of the past that we have managed to create for ourselves, why are we so insistent on letting that past define us? What we did is not who we are; and who we are and what we are doing as a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) is much more important in the eternal scheme of things.

If God insisted on using only perfect people to do his work, then He would be doing everything Himself.

My challenge for the upcoming year is to really let go of my past and quit using it as an excuse for staying away from God, for not doing what He asks me to do, and for not following where the Resurrected Jesus leads me.
Should be an interesting ride!

(BTW, the correct answer is: He can use anybody He wants to use – me and you included)

What’s the Weather?

This morning when I looked at the forecast for today I was pleased to see 42º and partly cloudy. Don’t get me wrong, I love snow, as long as I don’t have to shovel it, or drive in it. A lot of people at our church don’t like to drive in the snow either. So I was glad that there was no snow in the forecast.

Then all of a sudden, almost at the end of the service, I looked out the window and saw that it was snowing. And snowing. We stayed around at church for a while and then figured since we had a couple of errands to run, that we better get moving. This was pretty to look at snow, but we quickly realized that it was ugly to drive in, at least with my little car. Slip-sliding around on hills and through red lights or around corners is not my idea of a pleasant Sunday afternoon. (I like the fact that my insurance company thinks I have a good driving record, and want to keep it that way.

Drove the 11 miles home, much more slowly than usual, and all the while wondering where the snow came from. It was snowing in Nashville, several places in Kentucky, New York City and Washington DC got pummeled, but it was supposed to be nice here. Let it snow where it usually doesn’t. People there get excited at the novelty and besides a snowless Christmas Eve was a couple of days ago – winter can be over now.

Got home, thought about shoveling the driveway but took a nap instead, woke up and thought about getting the snow-blower out, but got the shovel instead. Should have got the snow-blower - it would have done a better job

Hopefully the snow will be gone in a day or two, but in the meantime I have to deal with it. And it’s probably better to get rid of it before it starts to melt and then freezes, and melts and freezes, and you get the idea. Snow is easier to shovel than ice. Easier to walk on too.

So tomorrow, I guess instead of the newspaper, the computer and a radio station, I’ll use the old fashioned way of telling what the weather is - I’ll look out the window.

Maybe I'll get it right!

To Vote or Not To Vote

For many years I’ve heard that it is a privilege to vote, and that it’s a right to vote, and that it’s a duty to vote. And I agree with all three of those appraisals. I’m not suggesting that we should get legalistic and fine people or throw them in jail for not voting (and I’ve visited at least one country where that used to be the case), but I do think that as citizens we should exercise our right to vote.
Exercise our right to vote, enjoy the privilege and fulfill our duty.
While driving to the designated polling place this morning, I was thinking about what it means to be able to cast a vote. Someone has probably told you that voting gives you the right to complain, but it’s so much more than that… my vote gives me a say in the decisions that are made on my behalf by the people we elect to make those decisions.
It doesn’t really matter at what level the elections are held: local, state, or national; the decisions made on Election Day will impact each of us for years to come. My votes this morning were cast for the position of mayor and two seats on the city council. I live in a small town so there probably won’t be a lot of coverage, except on an inside page of the local paper, but these people will make decisions that impact my family and my neighbors. Some places are voting for Governors and other officials at the state level, and everyone of these races is important. Every vote counts.
Having served in the military, I understand what a responsibility and honor it is to be able to defend the rights that we have as Americans. Brave men and women are serving in faraway places today so that I can sleep well, knowing that I’m being protected. These men and women in uniform are serving so that we will continue to have the freedom to vote, to worship, to pick the job or school that we are interested in.
When I vote I may be exercising my right, enjoying my privileges, or fulfilling a duty, but I’m also doing something just as important: I’m sending a signal to our military members that I appreciate their service on my behalf; I’m saying thanks to those who keep my country free.
Won't you join me in saying thanks? Make the time, take the time to vote!