You see, my fingernails are just one of the imperfections about me that I choose to notice or not notice, to obsess over or not obsess over, on a daily basis. There are many more flaws on this created being than just my nails. How about the fact that I drink 3+ liters of water a day and my hands are still dry? How about the fact that my pinky toe sits on my foot sideways? (Luckily, it isn’t flip flop weather so you all can’t stare at it until summer) How about my metabolism must be assisted with diet and exercise and vitamins unlike some of my friends who can eat a gallon of Blue Bell and not check up? And the list goes on and on; however, I refrain from divulging more; not so you won’t know what I can obsess over sometimes, but so you won't stare at those things that make me self-conscious.
Yet, I was reminded this morning, that my imperfections are not imperfections at all. They are part of a design that is a masterpiece. We know that the Bible speaks often about the truth concerning our creation and that we are made in the image of our great God. However, my God is far from imperfect, so how am I made in His image? We are a representation of Him. That is what it means to be made in the image of something.
Think about it. When we see a model of something, we look very hard to see where the model is not true to the real image. Even the models of planes and trains cannot be perfectly accurate. There are working parts that go unseen and cannot be included in the model. It is near impossible to get the same amount of punctuations of screws and bolts as the original. Nevertheless, there are many out there that are pretty close to being exact replicas. And when we see those, we are mesmerized and paralyzed with curiosity.
Your imperfections are purposed. Pause and let the frustration you have towards that statement seep out of your ears through the steam. He created you in His image, make no mistake and longs for you to be a model that people have to study with great detail to find the imperfection. His designs are conversational pieces - ALL of them. How you choose to view this design choice (not flaw) is pivotal in how you choose to view your value and your worth! How you choose to view His craftsmanship will determine your effectiveness for the true reason for being here.
How are you using your imperfection? Maybe your imperfection is not a physical difference that can be seen. Maybe your imperfection is internal. Do you have a debilitating disease? There are people needing to know you are among those that battle this imperfection and will see you as HOPE in their feeling of hopelessness. Do you have an addiction? There are people struggling with addictions to so many things and they need to know that there are others out there who are struggling with this mental and emotional disorder that can give them HOPE.
But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
The book of Isaiah is one that I choose to read through every year because it makes me weepy and aware of how BIG God is. Here is what I want you to chew on for today. In verse 1, the Lord reminds us that HE CREATED YOU, HE FORMED YOU, and he reassures the nation of Israel as well as us that He has redeemed us, called us by name, and WE ARE HIS. You belong to someone! You are not alone. Just in case you didn’t get that, he more deeply comforts us in v. 2 by stating that as we go through troublesome times, HE IS WITH US. The rest of this passage is full of this great comfort and is often quoted to people in time of need.
Yet, here is the part I want you to take hold of with both hands today. In v. 7 He subtly, yet purposely reminds us that we are not only formed by Him, but we are formed FOR Him - for His glory. That is why you are here with your sideways toe. USE IT!
VERSE 8 - LEAD OUT THOSE WHO HAVE EYES BUT ARE BLIND, WHO HAVE EARS BUT ARE DEAF.
Are you using your impediment to hinder the glory of God or to increase His fame? Are you using your self-image to bring awareness to the artist or to hide his craftsmanship? Are you using your struggle to redirect others to the one who gives you strength or to continue them down a path of destruction?
Identify your blind and LEAD.
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