DO YOU NEED AN ENCOURAGING WORD TODAY??
Back in 1955, a mom named Elizabeth Henson was cleaning out her clothes closet. You know how it goes. Things get old, tattered, don’t fit anymore, or become out of style. The smell of mothballs and mildew accompanied these things. Eventually Elizabeth came to an old, fuzzy, frayed lightweight green jacket. It had outlived its usefulness for sure. It was fit only for the throwaway pile. However, to her surprise, her college age son asked if he could have it.
Why would he want a worthless thing whose time had come and gone? The request didn’t make much sense, but she handed over the green coat. The son went to work. Armed with scissors, needles and thread and a ton of vision he shaped, crafted, and designed. He cut a ping pong ball in half for eyes. Who would have ever imagined that a misfit green garment would become an American icon, date a prima donna pig, play an Oscar nominated song and impact millions? The old green coat became the first Kermit the Frog, and the son was Jim Henson.
This is exactly what Jesus loves to do with throwaways of all types. He takes people, including leaders, and crafts them into something unique and surprising. You might not see how God wants to reach people and leaders, but I’ve got a passion for it. None are perfect. Some are quite imperfect, frayed, smelly and broken. God has a vision for redesign. He takes some raw materials and starts cutting and sewing. He implants a new purpose, gives second and third chances and often does something mind-blowing like with Kermit. He can use and bring to life lying brothel owners, pagan Kings, religious terrorists, a donkey, or you and me.
I never get tired of telling people about the scandalous, gloriously messy grace of God. As Tim Keller says, “We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ then we ever dared hope.” Despite checkered pasts, painful histories and flaws, God meets us where we are and changes who we are, compliments of a bloodstained cross and empty tomb. Our job is to surrender our green coats to God by faith. His job is to craft something mysterious, purposeful, and beautifully God-honoring. Along the way I get to ask people the poet’s question, “tell me, what is it you plan do with your one wild and precious life?
Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. Michael does life with his wonderful wife Donna and resides in Mandeville, LA. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God.” You can find more information about Michael here.
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