Dear Friends,
To many, Father’s Day is a day of woulda, coulda, and shouldas. Fathers may think, “I would have done better if …” Sons may wonder if they could have been more respectful of their own dads, and we all may wonder how many times we should have watched our words. We may be perplexed when we read Jesus words in Matthew 5:48 (NIV), “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfect? Who me? I don’t think so.
The Apostle Paul wrote about this conflict we feel in Romans 7:15, 21-23, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do … So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”
The world sarcastically says, “I’m sorry, I can’t be perfect.”
The Christian responds humbly,
“I am sorry. God’s not finished with me yet.”
When we recall the Apostle Paul’s persecution of the church, his conversion, and the fact that he struggled with temptation, we are reminded that we are a work in progress. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Changing the way we think often means praying that we can live better in the present, and with God’s help, letting go of our past. How often do we put ourselves on the cross, or let others put us on the cross for sins Jesus already went to the cross for? Consider Paul’s guidance in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV), “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead is an important step on our path to victory. The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s words, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19a
Verse for the Week: “Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory.” 1 John 5:4 (CEV)
The Christian song “Mended” by Matthew West offers words of encouragement to any child of God who may struggle with his or her imperfection.
“Mended”
How many times can one heart break?
It was never supposed to be this way.
Look in the mirror, but you find someone you never thought you’d be.
Oh, but I can still recognize The one I love in your tear stained eyes.
I know you might not see him now, so lift your eyes to me. (Chorus)
You see your worst mistake,
But I see the price I paid.
There’s nothing you could ever do, to lose what grace has won.
So hold on, it’s not the end.
No, this is where love’s work begins;
I’m making all things new,
And I will make a miracle of you (Chorus)
I see my child, my beloved,
The new creation you’re becoming.
You see the scars from when you fell,
But I see the stories they will tell.
You see worthless, I see priceless.
You see pain, but I see a purpose.
You see unworthy, undeserving,
But I see you through eyes of mercy. (Chorus)
Chorus
When you see broken beyond repair,
I see healing beyond belief.
When you see too far gone,
I see one step away from home.
When you see nothing but damaged goods,
I see something good in the making.
I’m not finished yet.
When you see wounded, I see mended.
Because He Loves Us Press 