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But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9
[Mary Magdelene] was a woman who knew trauma. For so many of us, there is a direct correlation between the strength of the strength of the bondage we’ve been set free from and the strength of our devotion to the One who set us free. ~ Jess“Come sit beside Me.”
Years ago, at a very low point, I felt that God must have forgotten about me, turned His back on me, or was angry with me for my sin (both intentional and the things I did trying to do the best but still messing it up). The circumstances were so messy and painful – I mean a total wreck — and in the thick of it I thought I stopped feeling God’s presence or hearing His voice. Then one day, I was looking out over a grassy area and saw two beautiful Adirondack chairs and out of the blue, I heard, “Come sit beside Me.”
In my heart, it was just like Mary Mag hearing “Rabboni”. I knew it was the Lord calling me with such tenderness and compassion… Even though I’m me and that’s often a gigantic disaster of my own making.
That was an unforgettable life-changing moment and I’m sure Mary didn’t forget hers either.
God does make broken things beautiful again and again and again. This has been on my heart a lot because I know my weaknesses and failings acutely. Maybe you do, too.
This is actually a good thing even when it doesn’t feel like it because that humility gives us eyes to see others in the light of God’s grace and goodness.
“Christ is building His Kingdom with the broken things of earth. People desire only the strong, successful, victorious, and unbroken things of life to build their kingdoms, but God is the God of the unsuccessful – the God of those who have failed. Heaven is being filled with earth’s broken lives, and there is no “bruised reed” (Isaiah 42:3) that Christ cannot take and restore to a glorious place of blessing and beauty. “ ~ J.R. Miller
As we’re beginning to believe and apply the truth that maybe Jesus has called us to be the girl for the job, can we pause and check whether or not we believe that truth applies to the most entrenched in sin, affliction, suffering, and downtrodden among us? ~ Jess
Have you ever seen someone in leadership or service and thought, “What the hay is that person doing in that job? They’re the last one who should be leading/serving there!” (Btw, I’m totally that girl for my job.) EXACTLY! That’s our God!
He calls a murderer and adulterer the king.
He calls a demoniac to be the apostle to the apostles.
He calls a failure to be the leader.
He calls a traumatized mess to be a counselor.
He calls a former prostitute to evangelize prostitutes.
He calls a former gang banger to baptize gang members.
He calls those who’ve hit bottom to join others at bottom and give them a lift.
He calls all of us failures and flops to see the holy purposes ahead for other failures and flops. Because we get it! We know what bottom looks like. And we know the goodness, the dearness, the sweetness of Jesus meeting us at bottom and how much He wants to lift them from there, too.
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. — Psalm 147:3
Jesus chose a woman to be the first to relay the message that He had risen. ~ Jess
Jesus loves to choose the unexpected, the undeserving, the unfit, the unwell, the unacceptable, the un-everything. In the un’s HE shines!
This is about Jesus. Not us un’s. It’s about His strength, His holiness, His goodness, His awesomeness.
He calls you. He calls me. He calls her. He calls him. He calls us.
Do you know your biggest weakness? Are you prepared for the consequences of your behavior in your weak spots? Have you ever considered your weakness to be, maybe, exactly what God will use to build His Kingdom? ~ Jess
Today, if you’re acutely reminded of your history, let Him use it for His glory. Look around and see what or who He sets before you and reach out. If you’re in the thick of it today, He’s not done with you! He didn’t forget! And, He is weaving your story together for good.
Listen today. Listen for the voice of God. Maybe He’s calling you to come sit beside Him. Maybe He’s calling you to do what you can do because you know and you’ve been there.
Partnering with Him in redeeming the road you’ve already walked is what makes you the girl for the job.
This week in your study:
- Watch the video for session three on our study home page. Take notes in your study guide on pages 53-61 and then stick around for the conversation with our OBS community!
- Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 62-74.
- Join the conversations about the study and in our private Facebook group.
Scriptures this Week
John 20:1-18
Luke 8:1-3
2 Corinthians 12:9
Prayer for the Week
Oh Jesus, we love You. Thank You that You see the real us, the messiness, the quirkiness, the mistakes, the sins, the oddball parts of us… and You use it all. Thank You for using our broken pieces to tell a beautiful story of Your glory and our healing. Help us to be used by You for good. We adore You, Jesus! Amen.
