While we were yet sinners...

Can I confess?

I’m feeling weary today. I’m feeling sad. Sad for the sin of the world and sad for the sin in me. Weary of pain. Weary of lies. Weary of separation and conflict. Weary of death.

I’m sad that people reject the love God freely offers them. People I love. I’m sad for all the times I’ve rejected the love God has offered to me.

I want to come to God in my Sunday best, dirt washed off, new clothes, makeup on, and maybe even with high heels and on time. I don’t want to come as I am—dirty, sweaty, in a t shirt and leggings, ill-prepared and late.

I want God to love the best version of me rather than the most accurate version of my sinful self.

I want the world to appreciate Jesus, get its act together, show up on time and be grateful for the sacrifice of Christ. Show some respect, a tiny bit of researched thought, and some level of apology. Put away their sins even for a moment– to worship the Resurrected Christ.

Yet, here we are.

The good I want to do, I don’t do. And the things I don’t want to do, I do. The sinful world continues in its sinfulness. Returning to their own vomit again and again. The lies continue. The deception, the sexual impulses and exploitation, the laziness, fear, manipulation and greed.

Yet, “while we were still sinners…”

Jesus came to a world that didn’t recognize him. To a world that didn’t show humility or appreciate his sacrifice. To a world that didn’t clean up and put on their Sunday best. To a world, unshowered and in their pajamas.

Jesus comes to me and calls me just as I am. In my brokenness and pain. In my worry and judgment. In my pride and selfishness. In my need. He sees me completely, like no one else can. He offers me his forgiveness and love at such depths it takes my breath away and forces me to fall at his knees. He looks at me as His beloved child. And, he tells me to sin no more.

Sometimes, I want to tell him to give me 20 minutes to look presentable. Take a quick shower and freshen up the best I can.

“Get away from me for I am sinful human…”

But, I can’t proclaim God’s love to the world, until I let God proclaim his love to me.

Now. In whatever condition I find myself in. He opens his arms to me his child whom he has been anticipating.

He opens his arms to the world, ignorant and ill-prepared, or unconcerned. Just as they are, in their embarrassing brokenness.

Our embarrassing brokenness. He loves us still.

And, he says,

Let me love you and bind up your wounds.

Let me love you as you are.

Now. In this moment.

Let me save you from this weary world of sin.

Though your sins are like scarlet…

I’m making all things new.

Follow me.