Sometimes it is difficult to be in a good mood. Know what I mean? NegativiIty can come upon us in an instant and take us captive before we know it. For some, negativity or pessimism is a state of being. These types of people can always tell you about the worst possible outcome, and are often certain that everyone is out to get them, or put them last. Encounters with folks like this can really challenge even the most joyful of us.
Today I have had some encounters like this. It's been a rainy dark day here, which has melted the snow, but also overshadowed the sunshine of the past couple days. This makes people grumpy. It makes arthritic bones hurt. It turns our smiles upside down. Though we know we are called to be bearers of the light and goodness of Christ, sometimes we just don't shine that brightly.
Ready for the good news...... IT'S OK!
2 Corinthians 4 says:
7-12 If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at.
Basically what this Scripture says is that we are all cracked pots...(not crack-pots). We are God's chosen vessels for a message beyond our abilities. We are imperfect - broken, cracked even. And that is a good thing! It is through the cracks that the light shines. Sometimes we carry the love of Christ by being our genuine selves, as broken and chipped as we are. Our lives are something to which all other people can relate. When we try to put on a smile and act like everything is perfect we become false to the Gospel. It is when we open our full selves to God's grace and love that through our imperfections we shine!
So, if you've had "one of those days," or have crossed paths with someone who has, I hope you can celebrate that God loves us right where we are. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there's nothing we can do to make God love us less. How about that for some good news!
Prayer: God, who holds all things together, help us to understand that brokenness can be a blessing. Show us how to love ourselves and each other the way you love all of creation. Teach us how to be bearers of Your brightness! Amen.
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