When We Are Both – A Miracle And A Mess

Ever feel one minute you’re a miracle and the next you’re a mess?

I mean, you’ve accomplished a lot. You’re growing, flourishing, and following God. You see how He’s transformed you and your life. You can’t help but shine His love.

Yet, you still see the mess. You have moments when wrong words escape your lips and past hurts make their way to the surface. Life throws you lemons and you don’t feel like making lemonade today. Your attitude wanes and so do your thoughts. Some days you just don’t shine as bright. Am I right?

Friend, you are not alone.

Some days I have my life together. Most days, however, I don’t.

Some days my attitude is uplifting all day long. But, other days it’s not.

I can be encouraging one minute and critical the next.

I’m faith-filled and trusting, yet I worry and fret.

I’m a Bible study and church attending kind of gal, yet some days I forget to pray.

I read and can recite scripture, but sometimes I act in ways opposite of what I read.

There’s no doubt, I’m both a miracle and a mess.

A miracle in how far God has brought me, yet a mess with how full God’s hands are with me.

Here’s the miracle:

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 TLB

Here’s the mess:

Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them. I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do. Romans 7:18-19 NCV

We are helpless and hopeless on our own.

There’s no doubt about it. I’ve proven I don’t always do what’s right or best or beneficial or loving or whatever. Even though I try to. Even though I want to. Yes, even though I am a Christian… and a new creation. I still am a mess.

But, the thing is, you and I don’t have to remain in this state of helpless and hopeless. God didn’t leave us here to fend for ourselves and to try to live good lives on our own. No, but He equips us to do so. He is with us. (Immanuel is the Hebrew word for God with us… what we celebrate at Christmas.)

Sure, we will continue to mess up this side of eternity, but God continues to teach us, to mold us, and to transform us into the person He desires us to be. Just look at how far He’s brought you and me already! We aren’t who we used to be! Thanks be to God!

I’m thankful He’s not done with this Iowa girl yet.

And, friend, He’s not done with you, either. Let’s rejoice in the miracle and trust Him in the mess.

Blessings!