Day 9: Being Human

Luke 9:28-62; Genesis 16; Psalm 9

The disciples were regular humans.  They struggled to ask questions out of fear of appearing stupid.  They lacked humility and fought over positions.  They were selfish and didn’t want other people being disciples of Jesus and driving out demons.  And they lacked the grace and mercy that Jesus calls his followers to have.  I think on some level, we all struggle with these things too.  I often think to highly of myself, even if I would never admit it to someone else; I struggle with other Christian religions and their teachings, seeing them as wrong and myself as right; and I often lack the love and grace and mercy that characterizes Jesus so completely.  I hope that we can learn to live like Jesus; to be a disciple of him that listens carefully to his teachings and works hard to apply them to our lives.

In the story of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar, sin leads to more sin.  Sarai doubted and sinned by acting on that doubt and giving Abram Hagar.  Then as a result of their sin, Hagar became prideful.  Then, Sarai, feeling guilty, inadequate, worthless, blamed Abram for her sin, wrongly accusing him for something that was a result of her lack of faith.  Then, instead of responding in love, Sarai returns Hagar’s pride with bitterness.  And despite all the mess of sin, God still came and blessed Hagar and Sarai.  Why?  As humans, we mess things up so bad, treat each other so terribly, and yet God gives grace and mercy and love without end.  However, there are consequences for our sin.  God forgives and loves and make good come from our mistakes, but our choices have consequences.  Israelites and Arabs are STILL experiencing the consequences of the Abram-Hagar-Sarai triangle.  Seek God's forgiveness, but realize that the choices we make, for good or bad, will have effects.

If you are struggling with the consequences of previous actions, know that God does not love you less because of what you did and your situation is not punishment.  Try, with all your might, to be worshipful in this tough time, because it is in this struggle that you will demonstrate the power and love of God to others.