I am so thankful to be an imperfect man because God uses imperfect people to reach imperfect people. Many people believe God can use people just not them. They consider themselves useless and broken before God. At Men’s Encounter’s I have seen God use men that once were caught up in drugs so deeply they lost their job, their families and their homes. But God, restored them and now they are giving their testimony before 250 men, as God uses them as an example of his strength, love and forgiveness to speak to the hearts of men in that same trap Satan had this man in.
We are all so guilty of allowing Satan to keep our focus on our past mistakes, failures and our weaknesses. Yes, we all have regrets, and we believe we have been disqualified to be of any use to God. This is so NOT TRUE! Read your bible and see how God continuously used men and woman that were terribly imperfect to accomplish His plan and purposes.
Moses struggled with fear and even murdered a man. David failed morally. Peter denied Jesus three times in just one evening. Paul was once a persecutor of Christians, and he ended up writing many books of the Bible. God does not look for perfect people to use because He would be unable to find even one. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… God used these men in a powerful way! He can use YOU too in a powerful way!
He just wants you to have a willing heart and make yourself available to be used at a moment’s notice. I recall many times where God wanted to use me and I responded, “right now? I am on my way to a doctor appointment and I am already late!” Which was most important? His grace shines the greatest in our weakness. 2Corinthianns 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness.
I failed and committed a terrible sin recently that hurt my witness and my walk. Satan brought me down to ruin and threw me in a pit of despair in less than 15 minutes! BUT GOD, offered me forgiveness and is restoring me. He knows He has much more for me to do for Him. Will everyone forgive me, maybe not. For those that don’t, they will suffer the pain of unforgiveness until they truly open their eyes to what God has forgiven them for from their past mistakes and failures.
Listen, remember this, our mistakes make up our great story of redemption, but they DO NOT define our future in our walk with Christ. God has amazing things in store for you to do at just the right moment and time. Be open to moving forward with God and stop living in the failures of your past. Begin today, hold your head high and keep your chin up and love everyone, even yourself. Be ready at a moments notice, because His timing is way different than ours.
Jim Everett
