“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Life is a funny thing. One day it can be filled with happiness and contentment, and the next full of sadness and disappointment. Sometimes this sadness or disappointment is brought on by circumstances beyond our control. Other times it’s caused by our own mistakes or poor judgment. Either way, it doesn’t feel good.
I’ve learned that in spite of it all, life doesn’t have to be a complete wreck. Recently, I found myself adding to the already staggering statistics of Christians who are divorced. Not only was I a church member, but I was also heavily involved in the work of my church’s ministry. I even taught the lessons of Christ to others.
When things started to go wrong in my marriage, I was no longer able to participate in ministry. Many of my friends and a few family members cut communication with me because of disappointment or things they heard. I nearly drowned in a sea of condemnation and negative thoughts for quite some time. Every time I tried to lift my head above water, another huge tidal wave would pull me right back under. I felt abandoned. I wondered, “Can God still use me?” “Am I worthy?” “What will people think?” “What will people say?”
My grandmother used to say, “God can use a crooked stick to make a straight line.” I think of this proverb almost daily in my life. It doesn’t mean I’m a bad person or riddled with character flaws. It just means that on my own, I’m not perfect, but in the hands of a perfect God, I am.
If God can forgive me, then so can I. I’ve decided to stop punishing myself and listening to what others have to say about me. Instead, I listen to God. I know that Christ still has a plan for my life and has created something new in me because of what He has brought me out of.
Jesus can still use me and He still loves me. I’m moving forward, ready to run this race called life.
Ready, set, live!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for using me and creating new life in me. I ask that you forgive me of my sin and create in me a clean heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”