“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
We live in a world of chaos, but Jesus invites us into His world of peace.
It’s that time of year, when I get the itch to clean out, purge and re-organize all of my stuff. Too much stuff, I might add. I have stuff scattered all over the place; on my desk, under the bed, in every closet, all over the floor, falling out of the cabinets. You get the picture. It’s even trendy now to throw away what doesn’t make you happy or bring you joy. As much as I try, I’m just an organizer “wannabe”. My closets, drawers, and shelves are anything but Instagram or Pinterest worthy. Even in my spiritual life, sometimes I feel like I don’t measure up. I don’t read my Bible enough, I don’t pray enough, and I don’t go to church enough or memorize enough scripture. I’ve even heard a pastor ask if we needed to get our act together and come to Jesus!! Sometimes it feels like we have to get our lives organized, beautified, and sanctified before we can be worthy of a relationship with God.
The beautiful story of God’s eternal love for humanity and His amazing grace is that we don’t have to do any of that! He willingly entered into our messy, chaotic, broken world of sin. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, God knew that mankind would forever be trying to measure up, be moral and good enough to win His affection and earn His love. But, before the foundation of the world, God already had a better plan. He knew we could never get our act together without Him. So He sent Jesus, His perfect Son, who fully embraced our fallen and frail humanity, experiencing all the emotions and effects of sin, but was without sin.
Jesus knew just what to do with our brokenness and chaos. He found a place for all of our mess and sin. He took it all upon Himself when He died on the cross. There is nothing more that He would love to do today than enter into your disorder and dysfunction. You don’t have to get your act together or get your life organized to come to Jesus. He already came for you!!
Welcome Him into your life right now – just as you are. Like the old hymn says, “Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me and that thou bids me come to Thee oh Lamb of God I come.” He loves your messy self – and your messy shelf.
He has a perfect place prepared for you not only in heaven, but also here on earth. There is an opening in His family just for you! He wants to enter into your chaos and exchange it for His perfect peace.
No matter how messy and disorganized your life is – Jesus came for you just as you are!
His servant and yours,
Paula Nelson