Saved In Sin City

As we strive to obtain our best within him, we sometimes get so caught up in being perfect that we often dismiss our imperfections. On Facebook, Pastor West mentioned that he was glad that he could overcome his past to keep others from making the same mistakes and I feel that he had such a good point. There’s a new range of people seeking to know God and often there are some people who have encountered such things as: prostitution, incest, abuse, neglect, and other serious issues that make them seem less desirable. Growing up I was a real loner, I didn’t have a best friend until the 11th Grade when in my honor’s Spanish class when I befriended a 10th grader who sat a few seats near me. And being a loner has given me a perspective of what it means to be on the outside, and how lonely it can feel at times when everyone else seems to be ignoring you. There have been times when I’ve been in the midst of a crowd and can yet feel so alone, so imperfect and yearn for someone to just say hello or feel as if I could be a part of something. This perspective has made me see the beauty of imperfection.

When you are always trying to cover up your imperfections, you start to live an un-genuine life at times. It’s like a person who cleans house by sweeping all the dirt under the rug rather than putting it in the trash where it belongs, in time you’ll have a dust free house but the rug will be piled high with dirt underneath it. One day when you try to stand on it, you will fall down somewhere. Every saint is simply a sinner with a past that has been fortunate enough to been forgiven by God and redeemed by his mercy and grace. We all have issues and sometimes God may use us and our issues to minister to a person who currently struggles with a situation that we have been set free from. I met a girl once who struggled with an addiction to sex, and was a 14 year-old prostitute dressed in barely anything. I admit at first I was acting a bit hesitant to be near her, and as she was trying to pay for her food she didn’t have enough money. I paid for her meal and ate with her at a table and ended up talking with her for over an hour about her situation and I ministered to her told her of my issues and prayed with her. I never saw her again but through our conversation I was blessed because I was able to realize just how far he had brought me.

Our mistakes can be encouragement to another person but only if we don’t keep them hidden. I have known of only one person who can say that they never had sin, and that’s Jesus, if you aren’t him then guess what, you aren’t perfect. Sometimes we can lose a soul that sincerely wanted to get to know the Lord but because that person’s skirt was too short or they looked funny or smelled funny we ignored them for various reasons, and we may have lost out on a blessing. Not being perfect is what makes us human, it makes us real. I admit I struggle with many things in my walk with God and there are days that I feel for each step of progress that I make, I’m falling down a few flights. But I know that my failure is for a reason because my success will be the benchmark.