Are you good enough to witness?
I hate when I have a fight with Jeff. It takes a lot to get us to the point of intense argument. But we can get there.
We got there again not long ago. Why? I don’t even remember now.
What I do remember is feeling discouraged that I still get into fights at all.
- Shouldn’t I know better by now?
- Shouldn’t I be so transformed into the image of Christ that I can let go of ego?
- Shouldn’t I have matured enough by this age to bypass heated disagreements and use loving words instead?
I guess not. Sigh.
I want God to change me faster. I could do more, be more, love better if he’d just finish up the job.
Wouldn’t I be a better advertisement for Jesus if I could get it all together?
Then I remember: I am not the point. I am only the pointer.
It’s not about me being a finished product. It’s about the perfect One I’m pointing to. It’s about Jesus. About how good he is, not how good (or bad) I am.
Granted, we do want to show he makes a difference in our lives. That life is better because he’s in it. That we’ve hurt less people and loved a lot more because we have his Spirit in us.
But even then, the evidence isn’t in how perfectly (or not) we love, but in how loving he is to work through us anyway, to love us anyway, right in the midst of our imperfections. That takes some strong power!
Don’t wait until you’re transformed into Ms. Perfect Christian who never argues with her husband or totally controls her junk food intake or answers the phone no matter who is calling before you think you can testify to how great Jesus is.
Sometimes the best witness is the one who has had a terrible day (week? year?) yet still knows they’re loved. And still wants to love others anyway. Not from their own abilities, but because the King of Love himself keeps washing grace over them daily.
It’s not about your perfection; it’s about Christ’s.
And that’s good news no matter who it’s coming from.
Even from someone as imperfect as me.
* * *
Hmm, obviously this is a theme I have to remind myself about often . . . Related posts here:
“Sometimes the best witness is the one who has had a terrible day (week? year?) yet still knows they’re loved.” Love this, Lisa. I’ve been reading a book dealing with the wife being a help meet to her husband. The Lord is showing me through it that life isn’t all about ME…it truly is about HIM…the KING OF KINGS! When I think of how I’ve failed He reminds me I am loved…with an EVERLASTING love! Thank you for sharing here today, Lisa.
Sweet friend, this is something I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing from your heart!
Lovely post. I’d like to bookmark it.
> I am only a pointer.
Yes, and more than that: a pointer to the way is part of the way.
David
Not the point, but the pointer. How often we get it wrong. Christ is perfection, perfect sacrifice, perfect in resurrection, and perfect lover of my soul! You always give me meat when I visit, Lisa. ~Pamela
We never arrive at some magical point where we reach perfection – and that is the greatest mis-information of all. We are a work in progress because we cannot even fathom the plans of God who created the universe. I remember sitting with a group of older women asking them, “Do you ever stop getting mad at your husband?” They all laughed sweet laughes – these 70+ year old women. “No” – they said. I think we just learn how to forgive and love better. Wonderful post straightening out the misinformation out there!!!
Oh … much more of Him. And far far less of me.
;-}
Hope your Monday’s sparkling, girl!
Linda, I’m a lowly member of the “pointer club.” And I love pointing to Him! Like you, I am impatient to be all I can be and too often it is for selfish reasons. This post was a good reminder for me. It’s always nice to see your smiling face on Mondays at Unforced Rhythms. 🙂
This is so true: “It’s not about perfection. It’s about Christ.”
Good news, indeed. I love this: “Then I remember: I am not the point. I am only the pointer.” Very good reminder, Lisa.
“I am not the point. I am only the pointer.” Love that. This was a much-needed post. So thankful He uses fallen, weak vessels.
Thanks for the transparency, Lisa. You’re not alone! We’re kind of on the same page today… some pun intended…
I love it when you said, “I am not the point. I am only the pointer.” I think I need to get that tatooed somewhere 😉 In the meantime, I tweeted it!
Hi Lisa! I’ve been there with the arguments. Even right after church, who we should be lost in the wonder of His word, we fall short and let the enemy have his say. I think we all struggle sometimes with believing our witness is tied to our performance. Thankfully God has shown up big in my life and at my weakest, used me to point to His undeniable grace. Found you today at Unforced Rhythms. Happy to connect again.
Loved this post!
“Then I remember: I am not the point. I am only the pointer.”
What a great reminder. I may have to quote you on this one. : )
You post was so encouraging! Thanks for writing it.
As long as we try our best to ‘point’ in the right direction, then He will do the rest. As for things in this life, most of them are soon forgotten.
Your post reminds me of the song, “Flesh and Bone” by Matt Maher.
We aren’t perfect, but God loves us anyway.
If we could but see ourselves and the world through His eyes….
A resounding “Amen” to this…Thank you, Lisa 🙂 It is why we need grace…daily and it points to how great God’s Grace is….
Oh, girl. You preach it, friend. Amazing words for us ALL, especially for the SDG Sisterhood!
It’s not about your perfection; it’s about Christ’s. – what a great line to embrace.
honest real post today, Lisa. Thank you.
Makes me think about how the church is filled with imperfect people and how we are so critical of each other. Forgiveness and love in our imprecation and hope in Christ’s perfection.
THIS, Lisa: “Sometimes the best witness is the one who has had a terrible day (week? year?) yet still knows they’re loved. And still wants to love others anyway. Not from their own abilities, but because the King of Love himself keeps washing grace over them daily.” Such grace in this, washing over me as I read. I need to remember that this King of Love washes me daily with grace. Thank you, again, for adding your beautiful, imperfect voice to Unforced Rhythms.
“I am not the point. I am only the pointer.” Good advice, my friend.
Oh Lisa thank you friend across the miles and web. I am far from perfect and struggle so much and I doubt the love of Christ all the time…. yet I know the truth and that it is there. I needed the reminder it is ok to be flawed and still show others Christ’s love.