“Imperfect but Loved.”
By Debbie Sanders
Today’s Christian Girl Director
I love that the Bible is full of stories of imperfect people. I can find myself, my story, among its pages. We are allowed to witness the pain Eve felt as she buries one son and says goodbye to another, driven away after the crime he committed against his brother, resulting in his death. Following her time of grief, we rejoice with Eve as laughter and joy are ushered in by the blessing of a new baby boy, Seth.
We are allowed an inside look at the life of a disappointed Sarai. Unlike her friends, years go by without the addition of children to her home. Just like most women, she longs for her empty arms to be filled. Finally, as her friends reach grandparent, even great-grandparent stage, Sarai’s longings are fulfilled by the birth of Isaac.
What about Hagar? Thrust into a marriage with her employer, Abraham, her job description changes as she is now expected to provide an heir for her master. Plot twist: it was not enough that her mistress Sarai would suggest such a preposterous union, but she then despises Hagar and has her sent away.
I love that in Hagar’s despair, Jehovah God is aware of her heartbreak. He comes close once again, as He had those many years before in the desert as a pregnant Hagar fled the abuse of her mistress. Upon that visitation, she named her boy El Roi, “the God who sees” (Genesis 16:13). A wrong decision has been made by her authorities, yet a loving God reaches out and reminds her that He is there.
Many more stories (Rahab, Bathsheba, etc.) let us know that into our imperfect lives comes a perfect Savior, offering grace and bringing healing to our hurting hearts. The Lord allows us to experience His unconditional love.
When we become hard on ourselves, or grow impatient with the failures of others, we can look not only in the mirror, but in the Scripture. There we see that God reaches out in love, grace, and favor despite our humanity.
The blessings of God are not conditional on perfection, but instead on imperfect people that are in pursuit of a perfect God.
(Info from: Pure Ministry – UPCI Ladies Ministries – ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com)