Just As We Are
Now, would anyone dare to die for the sake of a wicked person? We can all understand if someone was willing to die for a truly noble person. But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly! And there is still much more to say of His unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. Romans 5:7-9 TPT
Insight
My car is the best car ever manufactured. I may be a bit biased, but I adore my Kia Soul. Though those around me often scoff at my “hot rod,” I love everything about my girl Kiki. Unfortunately, driving is not one of my spiritual gifts. Consequently, Kiki isn’t perfect; but I love her all the same. Her left bumper has a few scratches. Her driver’s-side door has been dented and damaged. Kiki’s substandard condition is also partly due to my laziness. Dirty aprons from my waitressing side-gig are strewn across the floor. I’ve yet to replace the windshield wipers, which are growing thin. And, admittedly, I haven’t gotten her washed in ages.
However, one thing about my car makes me blind to all her faults: Kiki the Kia is bright yellow. I cannot help but smile when I see my car. I love driving down the street and getting a barrage of texts from friends who spotted me (as you can imagine, Kiki sticks out like a sore thumb). I love finding my ride within seconds when I park in a big ol’ lot. I love hanging up a yellow “little tree” air freshener on my rear-view to match Kiki’s exterior. In short: Kiki delights my soul.
I imagine God feels similarly about us. Though we have a million faults and shortcomings, God is blind to them all. Even in our brokenness, our mere existence fills His heart with glee. Just as Kiki’s yellow paint coats and beautifies her, Christ’s righteousness covers us and perfects us. We don’t have to “arrive” at a state of perfection or attain all our goals to warrant His love. God knows our deficiencies, yet He delights in us, just as we are.
As the new year approaches, many of us are reflecting on how we want to grow and change. If you’re anything like me, setting goals for the coming year can quickly become an act of self-abuse. While searching for ways I can grow, I tend to shame myself for all the ways I fall short. All I can see is how broken I am. For me, New Year’s resolutions spark shame rather than motivation (hence why I love participating in “My One Word”).
But here’s the Truth: God is deeply aware of our sin, yet He loves us just as we are. He knows our depravity more intimately than we ever could, yet He calls us His beloved children. However, His love for us is too immense to leave us in our present condition. He wants to see us transformed and healed. He never expects us to be perfect; He simply wants us to draw near to Him. He wants us to enter into an intimate relationship with Him, not give Him some artificial religious “performance.” He wants us to resemble and reflect His Son, not so that we can pride ourselves on being “good people,” but so that we can better serve and love those around us.
I love my sweet Kiki, dents and all. Yet, because I care about my car, I want to tend to her bruises and wash her clean. Her flaws don’t undermine my love for her; but my adoration for her leads me to work on her. Similarly, God’s love for us drives Him to work on our hearts. God is transforming us, day by day (Philippians 1:6). We can trust that though we are not yet who we have the potential to be, we are loved, here and now. We already have God’s favor, all because of Christ’s blood. Self-growth is not a prerequisite for salvation. Self-growth is a gift that extends from our salvation.
Reflection
Do you believe that God is proud of you, even in your present condition? Why or why not?
Prayer
Great and Holy Father, thank You for dying for me, though I am broken. I am bruised and battered from living in a sin-scarred world, yet You care for me more than I could ever fathom. Thank You for loving me unconditionally, though I have so much growth to do. Help me to meditate on the fact that I am wholly accepted, here and now. Empower me to acknowledge my faults before You, without allowing the enemy to convince me that my sin changes how You view me. Remind me that it is okay to be a work-in-progress. Help me to accept Your love and partner with You to grow in Christ-likeness. It is by embracing Your love, not shaming myself, that will lead me to repentance and transformation. I love You. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.