Tomorrow [or even today], many of us will be involved in leading worship, teaching God’s word, working with kids, etc… You may be going into the weekend with high spirits and determination. You may be a bit tired from all of life’s business. Or you may stumble into the weekend thinking “I shouldn’t be here. I am a messed up hypocrite. I know the sin inside myself, and I feel like it disqualifies me from ministry.”
You’re right – about part of it, anyway.
You are right that you are messed up. You’re a sinner, so am I, and so is everyone who’s ever existed – except One. However, if only those who were without sin could preach, lead worship, teach kids the Bible, etc…, none of those things would happen. Don’t get me wrong – unrepentant sin is not going to slide by. Attributing pride, greed, lust, etc… to “just the way I am” is not OK – Jesus didn’t come to this earth and sacrifice Himself to leave you just the way you are. That’s where it starts, of course – He meets us where we are, but then takes us somewhere better.
You have fallen – pick yourself up and ask for God’s forgiveness. Ask for His strength – HIS strength, not more of your strength – to fight the sin patterns that most regularly ensnare you.
Psalm 103:8-13 (NIV)
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him…
creativeworshipideas 