We fail and fall miserably. Just a single glance in the mirror and we see someone staring back at us. Someone we didn't want to become. Some see our fathers. Eyes filled with rage and a sneer that mocks any effort to be someone different. You can hear his voice ringing in your head and stinging your heart. "Your nothing! You'll never be worth a cent!"
Or the woman who brushes back her hair forcing the hot tears down her throat. Don't cry. Mamma hated any sign of weakness. Her finger lightly traces the scar on her forehead barely hidden by a lock of hair. A painful reminder that a rolling pin was not the only thing used to flatten dough.
These are the bruised, battered, broken and discarded ones. The blemished, defected and rejected. Some will struggle for the rest of their lives yearning for acceptance but feel like they come up short time and again. They feel too dirty, too ashamed or have gone too far gone for anyone to truly love them.
Some passages in the Bible can be hard to read, if reading it from personal pain. For instance, God commanded the priesthood in light of His holiness, that "No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the Lord. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. 22 He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; 23 yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the Lord, who makes them holy.’" (Leviticus 21:21-23).
It's like saying, "You can enjoy the food and My Presence but only from a distance."
Many battle the lies of the Enemy and their own voice. Why would God accept my life? Look at the mess I've made by abusing my body. Taking drugs until there is nothing left of me. I'm full of rage and lie to those I love. I had an abortion, you may say, and the man I thought loved me, walked away.
But then we read of the passage of the man who was lame sitting outside the gate called Beautiful in Acts 3:2. He saw Peter and John hoping for a spare coin. Some of us find ourselves sitting at the entrance of what could have been a wonderful and beautiful life but we are crippled by our sin. Heavy in heart and weighed down by care. No one seems to see us anymore other than another failed life.
All that seems left is the hopes for a small token of affection. A little relief to get through the day while others enter the Beautiful gate - walking freely, talking about life and experiencing what only the lame, broken and outcast could dream about. But something happened that changed this man forever. Moments later, Peter demanded the man to look at him so he did expecting a little something for his efforts (3:5). But Peter called on Jesus and then took him by the hand and stood him on his feet.
When he was made well where did the man go? That's right. He entered the temple leaping and dancing where the true beauty of God's Presence dwells. No matter how fallen your condition, how deep your sin or how others destroyed your life or by your own choices, God reaches out His hand of mercy. Will you reach out and take His hand? Will you let Him lift you up?
Remember the promise, "To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory." (Isaiah 61:3, NLT).
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