Observations From Hadleyville: GOD LOVES LOSERS

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

GOD LOVES LOSERS

There are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use people like you or me. But don't worry, God has a heart for losers. Insulted? Don't be. Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. Paul rejected John Mark. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of pain. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Timothy had ulcers. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worrywart. Mary was lazy. Samson was rebellious. Noah got drunk.

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter and Paul - well, lots of folks did. God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our boss. God doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, nor blind to our need.

As much as we try to make a profit of them, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people, and still not be wonderful people ourselves. The Accuser says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." The Accuser looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did years ago or even days ago! Why, it's not even on His record. Sure, there are many reasons why God shouldn't want us. But just like a parent He is utterly in love with us. If we hunger for Him, if we are simply willing, He'll use us in spite of who we are or where we've been.

2 comments:

Alycia Morales said...: Great post, Don! Thank God He chooses losers like me. I don't know where I'd be without Jesus. Well, yes I do. Condemned. Thank goodness I realized how sick I was when the Doctor came near.; January 10, 2012 at 12:15 PM
blunoz said...: Another great post. Similar thoughts to the other post I just commented on. "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called."; January 14, 2012 at 10:40 PM

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WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”