20 Mar 2007 - II Corinthians 5:17-20

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Let’s pray! Lord, as I begin this time with you, please let these words
be more than letters on a page. Let me see your word as a love letter
that you have written to me, breathed upon by your Spirit and delivered
in a way that speaks directly to my soul. Help me quiet my mind from all
that is before me so that I might only hear your voice. In Jesus’ name I
pray, Amen.

Today’s Scripture: II Corinthians 5:17-20

Reconcile (def.)—to restore to friendship or harmony. Isn’t this exactly
what Christ has done for us? He has made us new creations! He has
restored the friendship that was once broken. The past is now done and
laid aside. He is making all things new. It’s a fresh start and an
opportunity to live a life of gratitude and hope.
This passage means so much to me because it would be so easy for me to
wallow in my broken past, feeling that God would never want to be
associated with me because of all I have done wrong (and believe me,
there’s plenty!)
Yet now that old tape that kept playing over and over again in my head
saying “you’re not good enough” is silenced forever. Jesus delivers me
from my past through his sacrifice on the cross. He has given his life
for me to pay the price for my wrongful past and now I can move forward
without shame or hearing the voices of my past, but with renewed hope.
Not only has he been reconciled with me, but he invites me to be his
ambassador to help others receive the same reconciliation. I now see
that maybe I can be used by God to help others in the same place as I
was. I am not here to hold myself up as better than others. On the
contrary, I am fully aware that God could count my many sins against
me…yet he chooses not to and because of that I joyfully share my good
fortune with others. I have been empowered by the Lord of the universe
to bring reconciliation to others so that they too might become a friend
of God.
This is why Paul pleads with us so desperately to be reconciled to God.
Because until we are we will never be whole. This is what God wants for
you and me more than anything in the world, to walk hand in hand in
unity so we will not be alone, afraid or incomplete.

Pray with me—Lord Jesus, I want to live as your new creation, reconciled
to you and walking hand in hand as your friend. I want to help others
join hands with you as well. Please come and be with me. Show me how to
be your ambassador in a world that is filled with hurt and brokenness. I
trust in you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Shawn Robinson, Clayton Community Church