Here’s hoping that you’ve had a fun and satisfying summer and are continuing to enjoy the season― whether it be family reunions, extra time with kids, or a simple personal hiatus or two that take you to some new scenery or different state allowing you to get some perspective. How many of us have been heard saying…”I just need to get away”?

Well, speaking of getting away, you may or may not know that my wife and myself currently have had the pleasure of all 5 of our adult children and 13 grandkids living nearby, and wow, what a blessing! They are all under 12, and boy do I get tired just watching them.

Well, you know the old adage… change is inevitable. With that said… we have recently hugged and bid goodbye to 10 grandkids whose parents have been led out of state. Our latest escapee is our youngest son, Taylor. He, his wife, and their 3 girls― all under 3― have left for career opportunities in Nashville. What an adventure!

They closed on a property just a few days ago. My son called me to share how their dream property ended up being the very first property that they noticed listed within their price range, a good fit in appearance, function and proximity. He relayed to me what a blessing to be able to buy this property at such a great price and what the secret was as to why they’d gotten such a great deal.

This home, sitting on acreage, had been listed for several years, with the price routinely being lowered after each offer had failed. This happened at least 6 times. What was it about this home that prevented it from selling right away?

What was the one major flaw that held this property back from getting happily involved with a buyer? Well, it just happened that it was that the floor in one corner of the home had sunken down a few inches. Six different buyers looked at this home― new siding, new ac system, a nice metal roof on 4 acres with 100 acre parcels on each side and no neighbors in sight― and saw ONLY the sunken floor.

But, interestingly, Taylor and I had just leveled a sunken end of the floor in a 100 year old home here in town which he then sold affording them to purchase this property for all cash. When he saw the sunken floor in the Tennessee prospective property, he instantly knew that it could be fixed! You know why: because he had just fixed one and knew it was no major deal!

Now, what’s my point here? God brings blessings to us that may have flaws!

How many times do we walk away from our blessing because it doesn’t look like the perfect thing we had envisioned?

Here’s where discernment may come in. Of course, your prospective spouse is flawed… and so are you! The thing we have to do is determine if we are COMPROMISING or in the center of God’s will.

It’s the same with a house. As a realtor for a number of years, I experienced person after person describe what they were looking for in our home search. Generally, they described a property which would cost about 20% more than their budget. The question was: which property would fit their needs, desires AND budget?

Again, we have to be discerning… especially when it comes to people. And especially in ministry.

We live in a flawed world with flawed people frustrating and chaffing us on a regular basis. Do we have enough insight to embrace and take hold of a flawed person and work to fashion redemption and greatness?

Rev. Lyn and I have learned that God will draw “broken” or “flawed” people to us. They may need the redemptive power of Jesus! And a little investment in them can yield a new creation.

Another thing we’ve noticed. God often places deep wisdom and extraordinary faith in brown-papered packages. Never assess the spiritual wealth of a person by their hair style, personality type, manner of speaking or color of skin! How could we possibly move ahead in ministry if we are so nearsighted that we can’t see the potential in people?

I think this relates to the word “vision”. Do we have “vision” for people or are we victims of “limited vision”? We have learned that God will affect great things in our lives if we can envision what God wants to do through us and with us.

And what if we sense that our vision may be limited? Try this prayer: ”Lord, I ask by the power of Your Spirit that you would help me to see what You want me to see. Help me to have a greater vision for who and what You are and what you want to do in my life. And help me see people as You see them.”

Does a situation in your life seem flawed? Perhaps what you’re going through now is preparation for a similar situation coming your way.

Does a person in your life seem flawed? Perhaps God is using this relationship to teach you something new or emphasize something in your life. OR maybe God want you to minister to this person.

Yes, there is such a thing as FLAWLESSLY FLAWED… at least in God’s economy.


Remember: Each of us receives our own dreams, and each of us knows our own state of affairs. Dreamers are intended to make the best interpreters of their own dreams as they grow in understanding of the parabolic language of dreams.

I’m not you, but that’s my view! Every Blessing!

Raymond


Be sure to subscribe to “replies to your comments” or “all comments” to be notified of comments on this post by email. Form is below comments.

error: Alert: Site is copyrighted. Content selection is disabled!!