Thursday, March 24, 2011

So, sin can be a good thing???

God uses all things, even my sin, ultimately for my good.

When I think on this, Matthew 5:3 comes to my mind. I’m especially fond of the way it reads in The Message paraphrase:

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.

Guess that’s what I can say is the biggest way God has used even my selfish, stupid sins for my own good; my sin and the results have made me realize that I really am nothing. That it’s only through God that my life has value and meaning. It’s only when I’m in connection with Him that the gifts, personality, and talents that He created me to use for His glory flourish.

I could relate to Joyce’s post this week in that I grew up in church and was a total goody two shoes. One of the good things about that is that I stayed out of trouble, one of the bad things is that it can be easy to see others as mess ups. But in my twenties, thirties and even my early forties I had more than enough of my own mess ups. I had this intense need to be loved and valued; unfortunately I looked for the fulfillment of these needs in people. So of course I was never satisfied. It wasn’t until after two failed marriages, and untold heartache that I really begin to learn, on more than a head level, that the love my heart so hungered for, and the value I so earnestly sought after, could only be found in my relationship with God.

So, would I say that my sin was a good thing? No, I can’t exactly say that. But I can say that God in His grace and mercy took something as yucky as my own sin and used it to change me into someone better. Used it to bring me to a place where I desired Him foremost. Used it to bless me.

Isn’t God good?!

3 comments:

Joyce Lighari said...

Great blog Tracy! God uses everything, the good, the bad and the ugly to conform us to His image. And God turns what the enemy meant for harm, and to destroy us, into what makes us more and more like Him, reflecting His glory.

RCUBEs said...

I ignored a co-worker hungry to be my friend long time ago, not knowing what she was going through. Now, she had become my best friend but the Lord made me learn to accept everyone and not easily judge them because that's what He did with me, flaws and all. Great post sister Tracy. Enjoy the rest of the week, praying you're remaining strong in the Lord's mighty power.

David-FireAndGrace said...

There are a number of things that I have never been, and will never be: a pastor, a woman or a good two shoes.

I can't imagine how I would have ever found Jesus without all the trouble I was in.