One thing I love most about Jesus is His ability to use even the messiest person in really cool ways. Just look at Paul, David, Peter, the Samaritan woman at the well. The Bible is full of fascinating accounts of imperfect, unqualified people who were transformed and used in mighty ways by God. It’s absolutely incredible.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve wasted a lot of years wishing I was different. Wishing I wasn’t such a deep feeling, emotional personal. Wishing my brain worked differently and I wasn’t so prone to things like overthinking or worry. The valleys I’ve walked through this year have definitely brought a lot of moments of wishing I was different. But a few weeks ago I finally surrendered to God’s design and accepted who I am and how He made me. I now realize the messy and imperfect parts of who I am were created to bring me closer to Him and remind me of my daily need for God. My weaknesses were assigned to me and there is a divine purpose in all of it.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”2 Corinthians 12:10
As difficult as it can be to accept our weaknesses or even go so far to view our struggles with a grateful heart, one thing I know for sure is that Jesus shows up in the mess. And in that mess is where I’ve grown the closest to Him. In the mess, I’ve been desperate for Him. In the mess, I’ve learned the most about Him. And if I was a perfect person, without any struggles, I’d be far less likely to look to God for strength, peace, or guidance. I’d be fooled by the false idea that I’m strong enough to do this life on my own.
So if the end result of my flaws is that I grow closer to God, I can be grateful for these things. And at the same time I can continue to work on myself every day, striving to live a life worthy of my calling (Ephesians 4:1). And I want to encourage you to do the same–improve what you can, but remember that even with your weaknesses and imperfections, you are who God says you are. You are loved. Chosen. Cherished. Redeemed. Ransomed. Set free. Hallelujah!
Love this…thanks for sharing🩷
Amen and Yes – HALLELUJAH!!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Sarah for helping me solve the puzzle of my life❤️
I can relate to all of this! So thankful for the life I’ve lived even though it was painful I would have missed how much Jesus loves me and cares for all the details!!
Wow Sarah!! Your next calling….Write a book! Your beautiful heart is so connected with the Holy Spirit living and dwelling inside of you. You touched my heart beyond expression. When I was reading this devotion my heart was racing with your truthful words. He loves us unconditionally always and forever. Our comforter in the messy. Thank you for your devotion!!
Could you make these into podcasts.
Like 5 min. Morning things?
So inspiring and reminder that God loves, cares and looks out for us no matter who we are.He is our loving saviour. Thank you❤️
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for this.🙏
So good!
I’ve been loving your devotionals – every time I read one it’s been exactly what I needed – thank you!!
Hallelujah and amen ❤️
Beautiful post 🌟 I really want to believe – but I just have so much problem at the moment to understand. How come God doesn’t look out for all the innocent children and women being torn apart by weaponed conflicts around the world at the moment? Why are their lives not worth carrying for, while ours are?
I’m struggling so much to understand all the evil around us. If God is good and almighty why does he allow punishment of children. Adults I can understand, because we have a choice to choose to follow Jesus – but so many children haven’t been given that possibility before they are being tortured or murdered. It breaks my heart 💔
Does any one have comfort in all of this? Really appreciate your blog ❤️
Hi there, this is a great question and one I have wrestled with myself. But as I think about all the terrible things happening in the world, I’m reminded that none of this is new. In fact, all throughout the Old Testament we see just how brutal society was at that time. Wars, mass killings, unspeakable things happening all the time. And when Jesus was born, the world was an extremely violent place. John the Baptist, who made the way for Jesus, was beheaded by Herod Antipas. It was a brutal place. And unfortunately, human nature hasn’t changed over thousands of years. We as individual still have free will to decide how we act. And when society rejects God, bad things happen. It breaks my heart too. We have to fight evil by standing up for God and doing the best we can to live in a way that honors Him.
The last 6 months has been a mess for me. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Praising Jesus and giving all Glory to Him! Thank you for a beautiful devotional.
Sarah, I am your mother’s age and I am so happy for you that you have made so many discoveries about your relationship with the Lord in your younger years. I am thankful for your witness and I pray God will continue to bless you with wisdom as you continue your journey in this space. God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas!
Praise God Gr is always there for us; especially in the messy! I am filled with imperfections and nothing without Him but so grateful that because I know my hope is in Him, I don’t ever have to be without Him!
Thank you for sharing! Blessings and Joy!
Amen!! Thank you for sharing from your heart! Love reading your devotions!❤️
Love this!❤️
I share your feeling completely.
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loved your devotional this morning ! Thank you ! ,Janet
Well, stated SarahJoy! This was a wonderful reminder who we are in Christ! Thanks for your insights and love for Jesus and His Word! Have a wonderful CHRISTMAS and New Year!❣️🎁🎄
We’re all a mess! Thank the good Lord He loves us anyway. Thanks for reminding us we do not need to be perfect-it’s hard to let that go sometimes.
Ditto!
Thank you for your special devotionals. I discovered your blog a couple months ago and enjoy your fun decorating ideas, clothing ideas, and inspirational messages. Christmas is very hard for me because I’m now a widow. My husband loved Christmas and made it so much fun. Those memories are always with me.
This is all so true! God made you perfect. Accept who we are and trust God.
Love this Sarah!
I had saved this several days ago on the feeling that I should take the time to read it….this morning’s quiet time I got to this. Wow! I can’t express enough how much I needed to hear these words. I will reread often and share with my dear friends. This has blessed me SO much Sarah. Thank you for your vulnerability and willingness to share your faith.
Have a lovely Christmas season celebrating our Savior’s birth 💕
thank you for reading Julie, it means so much! xoxo
God does show up in our messes doesn’t he. Sometimes I need to be reminded of “whose I am” not “who I am “, and remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made! God bless
This hit deep….I am working on all the things but I know God has me!!!!