This morning's Jump Start was originally going to be about WD-40 (trust me
it would have been a Jump Start type story). You will see that one at a later
time. The reason for the change? Well, I want to share with you another
situation. You see, when you run a mailing list such as this, it means that there
are some steps you have to take in order for it work correctly. I know that
there are some automated systems that we could use that would take all
the information and then just send it out on an automated basis, but I would
much rather type these out and add the mailing addresses to the email and
send them out from my own laptop. It just makes it feel more personal from
my end, and I hope that comes across in my writing. I feel more of a connection
doing it this way.
Now, that's all well and good, but why the change in topic? Well, when you have
everything ready to go and you walk away from the keyboard and 'think' everything
has gone according to plan, it is supposed to be that way, right? Because we
live in a perfect world and we are all perfect, isn't that correct? Not by a long shot!
Especially in my case. We all have our flaws. We all have situations that make us
not so perfect. Romans 3:23 tells us, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God". We learn from Bible reading and study that we have our flaws. But, we can
be so hard on ourselves. We can sabotage our own salvation, by thinking that we
have too many flaws. "I can not be fixed" mentality will always help us in our defeat!
One of the most beautiful thoughts in the Christian life is that there is absolute
forgiveness in God, through Christ Jesus. Look at the life of Paul. I wonder how
many said that there was no way his mistakes could be erased. I think of Annanias
talking to the Lord in Acts 9 saying, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man (Paul),
how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem." Almost like asking the Lord,
"Are you certain You know what You are doing?" We do that same thing when we question
if we can truly do this; live this Christian life. We can, IF we use the strength that
God supplies. WE WILL MAKE MISTAKES. But, we can't let those mistakes take
us down. It only takes a small mistake, like not hitting the send button, to foul up the
entire works. But, forgiveness is out there. It takes repentance and learning from
those mistakes to get us Home!
Have a great weekend, and Lord willing meet back here Monday morning!
