While shelling at Sanibel Island, Florida on a recent vacation, I was not looking for just any shells. I was looking for perfect shells. Sanibel is known for the multitude of shells lying on its beaches so why not look for perfect shells, right? Some looked perfect lying in the sand, but as I picked up various shells to examine whether they were “keepers”, some didn’t meet my criteria of perfection, and those I would toss back to the sand. Some were broken, some had holes, some were carrying bits of other shells inside and barnacles were attached to others.
But then it hit me, and I realized we are a lot like these shells. We are far from perfect, but God still chooses US. He doesn’t require us to clean up to come to Him, He takes us just as we are – broken, scarred or carrying around the extra weight of our sin, hurts, habits, past, etc. All he wants is for us to bring it ALL to Him – to choose Him and to live in His loving grace.
As you can see, I decided to keep some of the less than perfect shells as a reminder that even though we are perfectly imperfect – a work in progress - God loves us any way. I’m so glad He reminded me of that. One day, we who have chosen Him, will be healed of our brokenness, our scars will be removed, and our burdens will be lifted. What a wonderful promise!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. Whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.
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