This week…Muddy & Saved
For me one of the harder concepts of Christianity to explain to people not of this faith is sin. Since God is all about reconciliation it only makes sense someone knows what caused the rift in the first place. Unfortunately telling someone they are unholy, imperfect and in need of a savior is often troubling considering the enormous blow to one’s ego. I turn to Psalm 40 to help me explain it a bit. “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (Ps. 40:2) One of the misconceptions regarding Christianity is once someone comes to know God his or her life is automatically in order. This is not true.
I believe, love and attempt to follow Jesus. I have been lifted out of the pit of despair, knowing Jesus as my hope for the present and eternal future. No matter what happens I am kept safe in my God’s arms. I am out of the mud and the mire with my feet on solid ground, however, I am still dirty. I have been saved from my own destruction and death (both physical and spiritual), but once out of that pit of mud and mire I am still in need of cleansing, washing and refining. I am muddy, but I am saved.
