I AM THE WORST
February 22, 2019
Prayer: My prayer for you is that you would know that when the worst surrender to Him as Lord, His power and patience is displayed as an example to others who need Him.
Scripture: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV
I got tickled listening to a conversation with some teachers who were bragging on one of their co-workers who had become their curriculum chairman as well as wearing several leadership hats in the school and the community. I was amused because as they bragged about his accomplishments they would sidebar to his days as a less than stellar student. Apparently he had quite the reputation growing up in the same school district he was now serving in, and had a long record of mischief and poor grades. A couple of these teachers had grown up with him and one had even taught him so there were an abundant number of stories to tell, with great laughter and shaking of heads that all ended with something like, “but look at him now,” or “Who would have thought…”
I had the privilege of meeting this great leader later in the day, he laughed as I said, “I feel like I already know you.” Laughs were exchanged, as he replied, “I can assure you that I was even worse than they described.” I boldly asked him, “What changed to make you so good now?” His answer was a lesson in itself; “I remember what I was like back then.” He went on to talk about how he felt as a struggling student, as a person who felt like he had to act out to get attention, how he always felt like an outsider even when he was surrounded by his fellow mischievous friends. He knew what it felt like to be afraid to ask for help and the labels of failure and trouble-maker that he wore that he hated for years and how a child always seems to live up to what you believe about them. At the age of 22, he decided enough was enough, he moved far away where he did not have a past and worked diligently in school and work to re-make himself. His biggest change came shortly after his move when he realized he could not remake himself, only God could restore him to be the person that he was created to be.
This journey of being, “one of the worst” has given him the ability to teach and mentor students who need extra love and attention, because once upon a time, he was one of them. This same scenario is true for all of us as Christians who are commanded to, “Go and make disciples.” Like the apostle Paul, we should remember the pit of sin that we were in before Jesus came and lifted us up. No matter what you did, or did not do before (or after) you became a Christian, none of us were worthy, all of us are sinners in need of a Savior. Remembering how we felt; remembering the helplessness, hopelessness, shame, guilt and fear we can go out and genuinely share the love, forgiveness, and righteousness that is now ours through Christ. Judgment should never be on our lips, only the sweet story of justification that was given to us when we surrendered our lives to Christ. Just like the worst student who ended up becoming the best teacher, the worst sinners can make the best witnesses.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]