| | Seems like this time of year always brings me back to the realization that I'm a human being.
Yesterday at First Pres, Mark Labberton gave a 4-part summary of the Gospel of Matthew. While I only got the last 3 of his 12 points, his very last point about Matthew being a "humanizing gospel" really stood out to me.
He said that part of the purpose of salvation is to rescue us from the distortions of the world that continually dehumanize us. Sometimes, this dehumanization comes out in us becoming less than we are called to be. Because of the shame, the pain, the brokenness, the sin in our lives, we live not as unique and beloved bearers of God's image, but we live as if we're unloved and worthless. We live as less than He has created us for.
Other times, this dehumanization comes out in us trying to be more than we are called to be, that we in essence try to be our own god. Because of pride and the pressures of our society, we continually strive to achieve more, be more, do more, and make worship of self rather than God the center of our life. We live as if we're the ones in control of our own destiny, as if our own actions, agendas, and plans are what will change not only our own circumstances, but this world.
Both of these sides- living as if we're less than we're called to be and trying to be more than we're called to be- are distortions of our humanity. To be saved by Jesus, then, is ultimately to have this humanity fully restored to us.
And this is terribly disturbing for me.
Because when I look at my life, I realize how hard it is for me to embrace this gift of humanization that Jesus offers. Too often, I forget my own humanity by forgetting my limitations and making myself god of my life. At the same time, too often I forget my humanity by sitting in the shame and disappointment of my life and believing that my worth comes not from being God's creation but from what I can create and accomplish.
So as I continue to oscillate between these two ends, I am realizing that I need Jesus to rescue me from my false selves. I need Jesus to restore my humanity. And I'm thankful that He's the only one who can.
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| | Posted 4/28/2009 12:25 AM - 33 Views
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