Imperfect Beginnings

At a small group Bible study, we discussed Abram (later known as Abraham) and his trip to Egypt that comes in Genesis. During the trip, Abram lies about Sarai being his sister, not his wife, and causes a plague on Pharaoh's household. Pharaoh sends Abram away, but it seems like Abram still has a problem with lying. He meets Abimelech later on, lies again about Sarai, and almost gets Abimelech killed.

One of the group members mentioned that we as Christians often get characterized as being "judgemental" because we expect so much of the "sinners" around us. He's right. One of the interesting things about these incidents is that God called Abram to turn Abram's descendants into a great nation. But God didn't start out with the "perfect hero" type, he started with "Mr. Ordinary" Abram, who was just like the rest of us.

There is a very real lesson to be learned here, and one that I myself need to pay attention to: God starts working with us from our imperfect beginnings.

Surprise! Do you know what? God thinks that when we are in trouble, when we are broken, and when we are not perfect, that is the perfect time to begin working with us. Take it from Paul, who wrote this:

"You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

The "Inverted Life" doesn't begin overnight, and it is never a complete change all at once to being perfect. The fact is, I'm never going to get there--I'm never going to be the perfect "model-Christian" that matches everything Jesus wants me to be (especially if I don't get up from this keyboard and do something once in a while).

I've certainly had my share of imperfect beginnings (maybe a title for a future blog?), but please don't for a moment think that the journey shouldn't be made, or that it isn't worth your time.