Getting it wrong – and God putting it right
Not such a good day at the office for this juggler – or the person who they hit!
We can all get things wrong. We all have accidents, but some of the things we do wrong are intentioned – we know we are not doing the right thing. Some of those things have few consequences, other thing can have far greater ramifications. We’re talking about sin – pure and simple doing wrong.
And yet still God continues to call people to serve him.
This weeks readings have an array of people acutely aware of how unworthy they are to be God’s workers:
Isaiah has a vision of the holiness of God, and is acutely aware of his unholiness.
Paul is aware of how much he had got wrong in his life, and knows he doesn’t deserve to be called an apostle.
Simon Peter in the presence of Jesus, knew that he was a sinner.
There is not one of us who can say that we are not a sinner; that there is nothing we have got wrong; that there have not been times when we have lived unholy lives.
In the words of The Pet Shop Boys:
When I look back upon my life
It’s always with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to
It’s a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn’t quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn’t believe it
Father, you fought me, ’cause I didn’t care
And I still don’t understand
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It’s a sin…
Tennant/Lowe
But God still calls each of us and takes us on.
Isaiah is touched by God – and forgiven.
Paul knows that God has been at work in his life, and turned it around.
Simon Peter is blessed, and called by Jesus to a new task.
God knew where they’d been and what they’d done – but still loved them and called them.
Whatever place we know ourselves to be in, whatever state our lives have become – God still calls us and still uses us – for by the death of Jesus, the touch of God in our lives, we are made clean. We are forgiven and called onwards. We do nothing by our own power, or our own worthiness – but by God’s grace working within us.
We may not be worthy – but God is. Forgiveness is offered. Jesus died to get rid of all the things that stand between us and God.
We can rise up and follow God. Our sin is forgiven. We are called to walk with Christ, to work for him, to live in his forgiveness and power.
Pam's Perambulation 