Thankful that God Even Loves Broken People – Like Me!

Dear Fellow Children of God,



The big topic in the news these days, and on the mind of many, is the spread of the Corona Virus, a flu like illness which attacks the respiratory system and has caused death in some.  We have had other health scares in recent times such as SARS, Bird Flu, Ebola, and others.  Those of us who are senior also remember the scourge of polio.  In addition, Alaskans with a sense of history remember the attack of the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed 20-50 million people world-wide, and decimated the native population in Alaska.  So, in a time of more efforts to prevent the spread of all diseases, and in a time of advanced medical knowledge, what is the truth?  Is the Corona Virus a serious threat to our world today?  Or, is this illness an opportunity for the media to gain viewers through sensationalism?  Even if both are true, we can see that we are not as smart, we are not as concerned about others as we might like to think we are.  We are all broken.



This year, 2020, brings another cycle of elections for president, along with elections for members of congress.  So, we watch politics in action.  The word “politics,” from the Latin word for “people,” in it’s best sense is meant to be a way to seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people in a country, in the world even.  But, often the way politicians operate seems to accomplish just the opposite.  What I hear most loudly from politicians today, though maybe this is not what you are hearing, is not so much their vision for creating the greatest good.  What I hear most is how bad the opponent is, even if that opponent is in the same party!  Do our leaders really work for the good of the people?  Or, do our politicians work for their own interest through harming their opponent?  Forget caring about the people.  We are not as smart, we are not as concerned about others as we might like to think we are.  We are all broken.



The Christian Church is facing unique challenges in today’s world, challenges which in many ways are different than those of past centuries.  Yet, The Church has, or should have, just what people in this broken world need.  The Christian Church has Jesus, the Savior of the world.  But, how often, instead of pointing to the Son of God, do churches and congregations point instead to themselves?  Christian congregations are to be places of faith and love.  Yet, often children of God are hurt by selfish attitudes or petty squabbles.  We are not as smart, we are not as concerned about others as we might like to think we are.  We are all broken.



We would like to think that we, ourselves, are good people.  We would like to think the same about our family and friends.  If we make a mistake we hope that others can see past our mistake, past our indiscretion, that they could instead see the good which we have done, and could hopefully see the good intent in our hearts.  Yet, in every one of us there is a constant battle between the spirit and the flesh.  There are dark truths in the minds and in the hearts of each one of us.  We are not as good, we are not as concerned about others as we might like to think.  We are all broken.



Actually, the truth that we are broken is a deep truth which seems empirically provable.  All a person has to do is look at the world around us to see pain and the suffering, to see selfishness and evil.  But, often we live in denial.  We not only want to think that we are good.  We want to think that “all people are basically good.”  I have personally heard that sentiment many times.  However, if we really are all broken, selfish, inclined toward behavior that hurts ourselves and hurts others, then to deny this truth and hold on to the myth that everyone is good, this myth causes trouble.  The idea that we are all basically good gives us an unrealistic picture of the world around us.  It keeps us from really dealing with the problems we face.



Scripture is plain, however.  We are broken and sinful, every one of us.  In Romans 3 God tells us, “¹⁰ . . . "None is righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ no one understands; no one seeks for God. ¹² All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." . . .  ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  (Rom. 3:10-12, 23)  The idea that all people are basically good is indeed just a myth, contrary to God’s Word, and contrary to the truth of the experience in our lives.  So, we shouldn’t be surprised when suffering and pain happen in our world, and in our lives.



There are consequences to our sin.  But, in a world that is broken we have hope, in Jesus.  In Romans 6:23 we are told, “²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Our brokenness and sin are real and lead to death.  But, in spite of our sin God loves us and even gives eternal life through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and death, and through faith in His resurrection.  So, because we know we have help with our weakness and our sin, we can admit that sin. 



We are in the season of Lent, a time of repentance.  Because of Jesus’ sacrificial, saving love, we can acknowledge our failings.  We can turn from our sin and turn toward God, because we have forgiveness.  We have help because Jesus amazingly loves us.  And, because we know our failings, and we know God’s grace, we can then help others.  Because we too are broken, we can care for and help others in their struggles, as we share God’s love in Jesus.



There is a hymn I have sung all my life, which speaks to me in the struggles of our world.  Perhaps you know this hymn.

Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

(Public domain)

As we look at the troubles we face in our world, it is wise to admit the truth.  We are all broken.  We are sinful, not always wise, nor smart, nor loving.  But, Jesus is the Savior of broken people.  So, as the Corona Virus, or election politics, or your own personal struggles bring frustration, remember, God knows your failure and He loves you in Jesus

A Child of God, Thankful that God Even Loves Broken People – Like Me!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.   Here are some fishing pictures

• ·       I took two nephews, my brother David’s grandsons, fishing on Sunday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ynHEYXn9QnZ4bFai9

• ·       I took a fishing trip I had with my brother James on Tuesday on the Gulf of Mexico, by way of the Crystal River.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/FXb76FY1STN355e26

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I will now call it "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked o receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive them, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.