By Mike Sanchez
When I was the head of a small, all-men discipleship group, many of them had messy lives: some were separated from their spouses, and many were struggling with worldliness.
My Light Group feels like “Matthew’s Party.” And in the same way that Jesus welcomed Matthew (the tax collector) and his sinful friends, I also welcome these men with open arms. I sincerely wanted the best for all of them.
I am a terrible sinner myself with a messed-up life. But I honestly feel my mess is a gift. I don’t want to ever forget my own messiness, as it helps me to stay grounded, be realistic, sensible, and always see things in perspective.
So, I concentrate on what I can do: to become friends with them and live with their messiness.
I’m happy I’m seeing progress now.
Many of those in my light group now serve in various ministries. Many of them are discipling fellow messy people like themselves.
Their mess now becomes a ministry.
Friends, be patient with people around you.
The change you desire will be more meaningful if we accept one another as they are. Not when they shape up first.
Accepting someone does not mean he needs to clean up his act first.
Progress is a process. Healing is a process. A healthy relationship is a process.
Remember Jesus called Mathew not after he gave up his bad job.
The best thing we can do is to surrender their transformation to God because frankly, there’s little we can do anyway.
But not God. He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
#GOTO #GodOfTheOrdinary #WFALoveConnects
