So yesterday was a really good day! I traveled back home from Denton and then went straight to the high school youth group I help out with. Things were good. I was even wearing one of my favorite pair of pants!! Things were great!
And then came game time. We played dodgeball and I was just running around screaming and dodging. Then came the most athletic move ever, I slid for a ball then jumped up and got someone out. Right after this amazing victory I was then hit straight in the back.... I was out. As I walked off I looked down to brush off my pants.. But my pants had a new hole right across the knee. And I can't even pull it off as a fashionable thing.. These pants are done. So I walked around the remainder of the night in a shameful and regretful state. My mind raced with... "Man, grow up.. Your dodgeball days are over..", "Why did I have to slide.", "I liked these pants." I know this may all sound ridiculous but it was distracting. It just reminded me that we have an enemy. Who will use everything he can to distract us and get our eyes off God.. I also believe that at times our lives are a whole lot like ripped pants. The Rip. You know I slid and that was the moment. As many times as I replayed it in my head I knew that was the moment of the rip. There are times in our lives where we can look back and see the "rips" in our story. Maybe we slipped up with sexual temptation, with alcohol, or we hurt a friend, or just made decisions that hurt us and others. We have all been ripped and also ripped others. It is bound to happen. But, we don't have to sit and focus on these moments. The Shame. I am a 20 year old man. Pride is a constant fight. Whether I want it or not. So my pants ripped and even though it wasn't in an "embarrassing area", it was still not fun. I could just imagine the laughs and the pointing at my ripped pants. I was shameful. In life we make choices some good some bad. At times we turn from God and we let the enemy convince us that we can make this decision. Ya know, pants don't usually last. And in the same way we aren't made for this world. At times we choose worldly things to replace or trust in God. After we go after our "fix" we feel shame. We want to hide. Hide or faces. Cover up with fig leaves and hide amongst the trees. In Genesis, Adam and Eve believe the enemy and turn from their trust in God. I know as I read this I always cringe and hope they don't take the bite. But they do. Every time! It is written and it is how it must be. But after their eyes are opened. They immediately feel shame!! They cover up and run. Can you imagine the fear.. The shame? You know what God does? "But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?'" (Genesis 3). God called to them. It may just be me.. But I think God knew exactly where they were. The call. God calls out. Regardless of the rip that they made. He knows they touched the tree and even ate the fruit. He knows they hide and turn from Him. But our loving God makes up the difference and pursues them. God knows we have fallen. He sees us and it doesn't change His love for us. We all fall. We have, we are falling, and we will again. In a way.. Isn't it nice that we don't have to be perfect. The pressure is gone. Jesus took on all of our rips and healed them. Not only did He repair our falls and sins. He made the ultimate rip, and ripped the veil that separated us from God. He made a way for us to be so close to God and to be in communication with Him always. So if you're walking in shame and guilt right now, I pray that your eyes will be opened to the amazing love and grace that only comes through Jesus. He is calling out to you. He isn't mad. God is not out to get you for your slips. Be open to God and feel the peace wash over you. If anyone here is feeling down or just stuck please don't hesitate to reach out. You can email me ([email protected]) or Facebook message me. Even call me or shoot me a text if you need prayer or just someone to talk to. (512-971-1166) "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8: 1-2 You are free. Your debt is paid. Go!
6 Comments
12/20/2022 11:27:46 pm
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1/8/2023 03:59:29 am
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6/30/2023 05:58:23 am
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AuthorMy name is Andrew Berry! I am just living my life chasing after Jesus and trying to point others to Him. Archives
January 2017
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