by Jenny Harrison
“We are all one big, mixed bag.”
~~ Dale Harrison (Jenny’s husband)
I love my husband’s perspective. He is a quiet man with much wisdom. If asked, he would disagree with the description of wisdom. Did I mention he is humble too?
In our conversations, we have come to the conclusion that most folks are doing the best they can with their particular set of strengths and weaknesses.
I have asked myself on more than one occasion if I have the preparation and skills to launch a women’s ministry. After all, I have no formal bible teaching other than the six hours of New and Old Testament classes that were required at the small Christian University I attended.
Although I love my Lord with all my heart, at times, I believe my personal mixed bag leans toward the unbecoming. Then I realize that throughout the bible, Jesus gravitated toward individuals who were covered with emotional and spiritual imperfections.
Time and time again, the ones who were the least qualified in the eyes of the world were the individuals chosen by God to spread His word.
According to the bible, many questioned their abilities as well as God’s request for them to serve. In Exodus, we read about Moses’ response to God’s call:
Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
Exodus 4:10,13 (NIV)
Gideon’s response to the Lord’s request to save Israel from the hand of Midian was:
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
Judges 6:14,15 (NIV)
As I study further in the bible, it appears I might have found a response to a generational concern of inadequacy.
Brothers [and sisters], think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:26, 27 (NIV)
Let’s see. Personally, I am not wise by human standards, not influential, and definitely not born of nobility. Yet this “mixed bag” has everything I need through the strength of my Lord and Savior to take up my cross and spread the Good News.
The bottom line—we are loved. We are expected to love and help others. We are expected to serve Christ by spreading His message. Even with our excess and mixed bags.
Copyright © 2013, Jenny Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Image from Pinterest. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
