I was given a free house cleaning by a friend as a shower present. I have yet to use it.
Silas is almost 4 months old.
Why haven’t I taken advantage of this fantastic gift of someone coming to scrub my toilets and dust my bookshelves?
I feel like I have to clean the house before she comes. And I haven’t had the time or energy to get it clean enough yet.
For
The
Housecleaner.
I was thinking about this the other day and laughing at myself. I haven’t fully accepted a free gift because of my shame over the state of my house.
::
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
As I was thinking about the housecleaner, God made it personal.
What are you waiting for? Is my grace not enough; the free gift I’ve bestowed on you? Why are you trying to save yourself?
It took my breath away.
Why do we feel we have to have our lives perfectly in order before we can step forward into the future God has for us?
He can use us in our here and now.
Because that struggle you have; others are dealing with it too.
That sorrow on your heart; it has a familiar ache in the heart of another.
That insecurity; that’s in all of us.
::
A couple of nights ago I came home and Josh was playing guitar. He was reworking a hymn by Joseph Hart, called “Come Ye Sinners.” The words have always impacted me when we’ve sung it at church. With what God has been speaking to me, they are even more so.
I wanted Josh to record his version so I could play it here, but between our four children, his full-time job and life, it didn’t happen. Sometime I’d like to put his music on here, because I’m proud of him and the gift God has given him.
The part that hit me the hardest was this verse:
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Bruised and ruined by the Fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all: (emphasis mine)
The thought of never realizing the plans God has for me, because of my own tarrying.
That scares me.
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. He knows when we’re ready. He will never give us more than we can handle
With
His
Help.
::
Step out in that calling. Take that job. Sign up for that ministry. Go to that school. Talk to that person. Use that gift.
Don’t tarry until you’re better. Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work through you and fill in where you feel weak and incapable.
The chorus of the song provides a guide for what we need to do:
I will arise and go to Jesus;
He will embrace me in his arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms (emphasis mine)
What areas have you been holding back in?
Is there any way I can pray for you?
**UPDATE 12/30/10**
Here’s the recording of Josh singing Come Ye Sinners! Enjoy!!
0 Responses
What a beautiful post. I’ve grown up in church and have sang that song SO many times. But I’ve never looked at it the way you described it. What a blessing! Thanks for that this morning!!
I love it when we take old hymns and mix them up a little. Another of my favorite songs is “How Deep the Father’s Love.” There’s so much truth and wisdom in those old songs!
mmmkay, i’m gonna need a recording of that.
No, seriously… I’m doing worship at our church pretty regularly now, and I’d love to do this song. I’ve heard one other “re-arrangement” that I liked, but I’m sure I’d dig Josh’s arrangement all the more.
Another fantastic post, by the way! I’m actually working on my application for Grad School this week, with the intention to begin taking classes next semester. Same sort of lessons bringing me to the point of “what are you waiting for!?”
Tell all my favorite Brothertons I love them!
I’m hoping he’ll record it for me tonight. I love his voice!! It really made me feel so much better to come in and hear him playing quietly in the kitchen. 🙂 Reminded me of when we were dating, or when we’d hang out at your house. I miss you guys!! We need to hang out so that you and Josh can play, while Christy sings with you. 🙂 Thanks for always being so encouraging, Levi. I really appreciate it. I’m excited that you’re taking steps towards Grad school. I know you’ve been debating it for a while. Praying for direction and peace as you walk forward in that. Say hi to Christy & Winston.
I don’t think I’ve heard that song before. Thank you for your vulnerability & a very relevant message that will give me something to meditate on. love you
Seester Christy! I’m going to see if we can find quiet in our chaotic house so that Josh can record it tonight. I really wanted to include it. Love you! 🙂
What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing.
One of the things I love about blogging is that I can put out there the things God tells me as a reminder for myself! 🙂 Haha!
Great encouragement and reminder! I find myself doing this in relationships, not so much in things. With activities, I tend to go in the opposite direction…trying everything too soon and burning out because of lack of wise preparation. Haha! But, I definitely felt the Holy Spirit convict me in the area of relationships. I want to hold back in friendships, to not be vulnerable, until I’ve gotten a little “better.” I have a hard time trusting people. The Lord has been challenging me to trust HIM that HE has brought these people into my life and that it is not THEIR approval I need. 🙂 I can be who I am and trust His guidance and plan for my friendships. But it’s SO hard for me. Prayer would be good.
😉
Thanks for the reminder today.
Praying for you, Haley! That you would have wisdom in being vulnerable with people, and trust those whom God is surrounding you with. I think there’s something to be said about being cautious in this, but I know what you mean about waiting too long. You are a gift as a friend; a valuable addition to anyone’s life. 🙂 Love you!!
Fantastic post… think I need it. I’m saving it for when I wake up.
Haha! Thanks Kelly! Hope you got some good rest. 🙂
I love this post, Melissa. It totally made me laugh ( I feel the same way about cleaning up for the cleaners! They make me work hard! LOL.)
And then, you made me want to be bold! …
Purpose in imperfection! thanks for another great post for the Jam!
I really enjoy connecting with others, that’s why I started blogging in the first place. The Faith Jams are a fun way to do that! 🙂
Crazy girl!! USE THE CLEANERS!! You will never want to be without one again. I would happily trade all the ice cream in the world for a regular house cleaner. For reals!!!
Ha! I’ve called her. We’re just working our a time. 🙂 ALL the ice cream? That’s a pretty big statement. Haha!
Oh beautiful… thanks for the encouragement to not tarry and step out and trust God that His purposes will prevail all I need to do is take His hand! I needed this today 😉
That’s got to be one of my favorite compliments. To know that someone else resonated with what I’m feeling, what God’s doing in me, what I need to hear. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know this impacted you. 🙂
This was beautiful! (It’s officially a chorus now—Melissa’s Beautiful Writing) . . . moving forward so God can unveil his plan—love it.
Lately I keep coming back to the flip side of the coin—waiting. The biblical sense of waiting—doing what I know I’m supposed to do so God can prepare me for what’s next. Generally I think I’m ready for what’s next and I’m trying to race ahead to get there. Not cool in the heavenly economy. So I’m learning to do what there is to do now and let God unfold his better plan in HIS time.
I’m looking forward to hearing your husband’s arrangement–I, too, love that song!
I like your description of the biblical sense of waiting. I feel like I’m in a period of waiting, and it’s hard not to try to race ahead to the next thing. Doing what there is to do now is a lot harder to do than it sounds. 🙂 Thanks for your comments, Sheryl!
reading this as I am listening to the recording of your hubby sing Come Ye Sinners… something fitting about that… to remember that we are sinners, so we can be reminded that we are saved by His beautiful grace… ahhhhhh 🙂
Wow! I never thought of that connection, Jenny. 🙂 Thanks for sharing that!