{Thoughts from Dayspring...I didn't see she had sent me this in the midst of December! However, it is so good and so real, I mean real-real, I wanted to pass it on...}
While reading my Bible this morning, I thought to myself, “I haven’t really confessed any sin lately, maybe it’s time.” So I did and then I ended with, “…and I wish so-n-so would die. And that’s got to be a sin, so add that to list!”
Perhaps this doesn’t shock you because you tell God everything. Or maybe you are appalled by my honest and raw confession to Him, but here’s the thing: He already knows!
As I contemplated how cool it is that I am free to come before God with the worst of me I am also reminded of the times I’ve been too angry at Him to talk, too ashamed of my sin to talk, and even too independent to talk to Him. And I thought of my dear friend Hannah in the Bible who had no problem going to God.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.” 1 Samuel 1:10
See, Hannah was carrying on and on to God so that only her lips were moving as her heart cried out, and the priest accused her of being drunk. To which she said: “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:15b
So in this gift-giving season, I pour out to God the worst of me. I wish it was perfectly wrapped in beautiful paper, with neat and crisp corners and a beautifully tied bow, but it’s not. It’s just me. In all my junk. I can’t hide it from Him and neither can you; He already knows. Just bring your bitterness of soul and give Him the real you. That’s what’s on His Christmas list.
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