James 2:13

                                             Mercy triumphs over judgment - James 2:13

Pride is a powerful mask. Though it fits perfectly on our face, it lacks all functionality. It is a mask that is blinding. It is a mask that I choose to wear daily. It is so deeply rooted in us, often times, we don't even recognize it as pride. It hides in a little corner surrounded by false humility.

I often stand in awe, that Christ uses prideful, angry, bitter people like me. This is not ploy to seduce encouraging words from you, it is simply a recognition of my own depravity. But recognizing ones own depravity is only half the picture. Christ has make things right. He saw a young man like me, rolling around in sin, and decided that he was worth the cost. The price was death on a cross. Now I have taken on the righteousness of Christ, not because I uphold some moral standard, but because Christ has paid the price for me. Because mercy triumphs over judgment, every time.

The other day I was driving to the supermarket. On the curb, there were two homeless men holding signs. I pictured myself running them over. I was filled with anger because in my blind perspective, these men were begging despite an ability to work, but in that same moment, the above verse came to mind.

I try not to be the person who liberally uses the phrase "God told me", but there are a few times in my life that I feel pretty confident that the Holy Spirit spoke to me. This was one of them. What I find the most interesting, is that in that moment, nothing circumstantially changed. I didn't get out of my truck and give them money, or share the gospel, or even smile at them. But there was a major paradigm shift that day. I realized that I am no better then they are. Nothing in me, has any more intrinsic value then they do. It is simply mercy triumphing over judgement, in my life, and in theirs.

Often times as Christians we get caught up in preaching morality. We push our political and moral views on people with a well intentioned although misguided attempt to show them the error of their ways. But we have two choices, we can either give people our hope, or we can give people our morality. We can share politics, or we can share the Gospel. We can spread hate, or we can spread love. One shows people a God who gives hope, and purpose, the other brings condemnation and bitterness.

In the end, there is one thing we need to remember, that is, mercy triumphs over judgment, every time.

Unmeasurable Worth

Earlier today I was pulling weeds from my garden. My plants seem to grow a tremendous amount every day. It amazes me to think that such a large plant, that yields an amazing amount of  vegetables all started from a seed. A seed that died, then sprouted, then grew producing tomatoes, peppers, etc.
Our society is one that loves to measure worth. Whether its capital gains, popularity, Facebook likes, and so on, we measure success by the numbers.
 God on the other hand, plants seeds. Tiny little seeds that by themselves, appear useless. But they sprout into something  beautiful. Then they grow into something that produces fruit and vegetables that sustain billions of hungry people.
As Christians, we often measure our lives in the same way as the rest of the world. How many people have you brought to your church? How many people have you shared the gospel with? How much money have you given? How much? How much? How much?
But what if God uses us the same way that he uses a gardener? What if we plant little seeds that we can never measure? What if that seed someday produces a crop far greater then you could ever imagine? What if, in this life, you will never witness this crop? What if God wants you to be content with how he is using you today, even though it appears to be small?
What if god wants you to just love the person at the counter, love the guy at the gas station, or smile at the child at the bank? What if the small things, eventually yield a fruit that is more amazing then anything we can physically measure? What if God has our lives figured out in the midst of chaos?
Its easy to get caught up in numbers and measure success by them, but I would encourage you to seek Christ, to give up, and see how he uses us when we cease to strive for greatness.