I’m thinking about messes today. In fact over the course of my life, I have been a mess, lived in a mess, and more times than not, created a mess.
Mess, as defined by dictionary.com:
- a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition
- a state of embarrassing confusion
- an unpleasant or difficult situation
- a jumble
We can be a mess or experience a mess. Either way, a mess leaves us feeling ineffective, at times purposeless, and useless. At times, we can wonder what is wrong with us, or question what is missing in our lives.
But sometimes, it is right in the middle of our messes where God does His best work.
He can step in and turn those messes into miracles
which will astound us for the rest of our days.
Miracle, as defined by the same dictionary:
- a wonder; a marvel
- an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God
Each and every one of us, known and loved by God, are miracles. Our lives are transformed from the messes they once were into the miracles He makes.
Every broken piece is a part of the artwork He is creating. Every fragmented area, He is looking to make whole.
In her book, More: From Messes to Miracles, Tammie Head writes:
“Jesus’ love was made manifest when He took the time to heal the hurting, notice the rejects, the sinners, the lepers, and even, the harlots.
What sets Jesus apart is His ability to see through the eyes of redemption. He’s not so much looking at the mess. He’s looking at the masterpiece. He’s not so much concerned with who we’ve been, but who we’d become if we wholeheartedly put our faith in Him.
Our past is never, ever, ever wasted. It is a tool of purpose in the hand of a very strategic God if we’ll humble ourselves to become fully healed vessels.”
(taken from page 97)
God sees the entire picture of our lives, from birth to death. He knows what His power can achieve in a life wholly surrendered to Him. He never gives up on any of us but finishes each masterpiece He begins.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
There are times we need to face a hard and sad topic. This past week, Yvonne Chase did just that in her post “Death by Suicide is Now A Public Health Crisis.” While it’s hard to read about, the post encourages us to to be kind to those around us as we truly never know the depth of the burden they may be carrying.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
At a very challenging time, someone gave me life-changing advice – when it’s hard to love someone – because sometimes people we care about don’t feel lovable – they said, “Try to see them as Jesus sees them.” It made me remember how He sees me; and it made me look at those challenging my heart through God’s eyes – even though I cannot fully wrap my heart around how He sees us. What my friend told me changed my life, changed how I love, changed how I now see others. Your quote from Head went straight to my heart, ““Jesus’ love was made manifest when He took the time to heal the hurting, notice the rejects, the sinners, the lepers, and even, the harlots. . . .What sets Jesus apart is His ability to see through the eyes of redemption.” I love this. I needed to see this with fresh eyes today. Thank you, Joanne! ~ Maryleigh
Maryleigh, thank you for all you shared. I needed to read your words this morning!
I have also been and made a mess at various times. So grateful for the fact that there is no mess too big for God to Clean up!
Amen!
When I read Ps. 139, He goes before me and behind me… I picture a street cleaner, taking care of my messes!
Such a good visual, Debbie! Thank you for sharing!
What a pleasant surprise to see my post featured. Thank you.
This line stood out to me: “God sees the entire picture of our lives, from birth to death.” So grateful he can turn my messes into messages and miracles.
I have been and made messes as well. I am so thankful God forgives and redeems.
I sometimes look at my life as a cake Ms. Joanne. When I look at the ingredients, I see a “Mess”! When I taste and see the finished product, I’m overwhelmed by its look, texture, and taste. I have to remember that in this life, I remain un-cooked, incomplete, but God’s word promises me that He will finish what He started. What a glorious day that will be my friend. Thank you for this wonderful post ma’am.
J.D. I am reading your comment on Saturday morning. It went beautifully with my post yesterday based on the word prompt, “Stir”. I love when God works that way! Blessings!
I’m often a mess but I cling to Philippians 1:6. Thanks for sharing that verse! To me, it is so hope-giving.
I’m so thankful He sees us through the eyes of redemption, Joanne!
Joanne, I had to smile when I saw one if the definitions of mess is an embarrassing state of confusion. 😳 So thankful the Lord does step into the middle of our mess. I just have to remember to step out.
Joanne, loved this simple post! Sometimes I feel like my life is a perpetual mess, and it causes me so much anxiety. Yet the truth is, God sees all of that and while I feel hindered by the mess, He is not. I am so grateful for the reminder that He meets us right where we are, mess or no mess! (But probably especially because of the mess!)
Those quotes from Tammie’s book – whoa!
Great post today Joanne! Yes we’ve all been there & so glad God sees us through Jesus & we in turn can see others through Jesus eyes instead of our own.
And even see ourselves through His eyes!
Blessings,
Jennifer
God turns our messes into masterpieces! The quote you shared reminds me that we have to surrender first, though, to “become fully healed vessels.” And what a freeing surrender that is!
I’m another Mess-Maker here. Praise God he’s never given up on me (Phil. 1:6)! And won’t it be wonderful to see, at the end of time, the final masterpieces he’s created out of us?! Praise God for loving us that much, to not leave us as we were–in our messes–but to transform us day by day!
Such a wonderful post, Joanne. I have been an awful mess and am beyond grateful for His patience, love, and transformative power.
I read Yvonne’s post last week and tried commenting but couldn’t find the correct area. I’ll try again. Thanks for sharing about such an important topic.
Blessings,
Tammy