Helga is the chicken in front. She doesn’t know she is a small chicken.

We recently picked up some new chickens for our backyard flock.  My wife and I found a chicken we liked but she was little.  She was half the size, or smaller, of all our other chickens.  We were really worried about her getting picked on, but we were in for a surprise.  Our little chicken, Helga is her name, can stand up for herself.  Some of the other chickens even run in fear when they see Helga coming.  What we perceived as a weakness is actually something that has taught Helga what it takes to survive.

Many times we know or perceive that we have weaknesses in our lives.  They can effect us in any number of ways.  Too often we will allow those weaknesses to rule our lives and hold us back from being who God has created us to be.  Other times we will use those weaknesses to our advantage and achieve things we thought were impossible.  We will surprise others by overcoming weaknesses, disadvantages, and failures to achieve great successes.

Let me challenge you today with a different spin on a very popular Bible verse.  Romans 12:1-2 talks about Christians devoting their lives to living for God as a living sacrifice.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”  Quite often we use this verse in the context of life choices and sin.  What if we also viewed this verse as impacting our self-perception and role in God’s work on this earth.

Too many in this world are hopeless, hurting and in despair because they view their lives as purposeless and drifting.  God created each one of us with a unique set of abilities and connections.  There are people in your life who need you, want you and love you.  Part of not conforming is realizing that we are bigger than our worries, struggles and self-perception.  There are people in our lives, if only for a few seconds, who need the love and compassion that only you can give.

I believe that some of the unhappiest people I have ever met are fixated on their own lives.  Close behind them are the people who are constantly looking for weaknesses and flaws in others.  The happiest people I know are givers.  They give of their time, their energy, and even their physical possessions and money.  They are patient and long-suffering, not looking to immediately pounce on a mistake or an indiscretion.  Instead of filling their days with judgment, hate and pessimism they spend their days graciously sharing the love, peace and hope that they have found.  Many of these beautiful people have suffered tragedies and hardships of their own.  They have taken what the majority might perceive as a weakness and turned it into a blessing.

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Many people hate the Bible because they feel it is disconnected, fake and disingenuous.  In my opinion it is quite the opposite.  The people we read about in the Bible are broken, mistake-making, imperfect people.  They lie, cheat, steal and do all sorts of horrible things.  The major difference is that they change and find a better way.  Today I am wrapping up a 15 week study of a man who doubted God and himself.  Abraham is referred to throughout the Bible as a hero of faith, but as we’ve seen through the last few months it wasn’t always that way. I hope you enjoy a time of worship with your family >>> Week 18 – The Faith of Abraham – Part 15