Daily Power #364

“I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24:7 NASB)

One of the police officers from our church went on a sting operation. Several fully armed guys in riot gear stormed a drug house and successfully made the arrests. They caught three known dealers and confiscated a sizeable amount of illegal substances.

My officer buddy kept certain details about the case confidential, but he was excited to show me a photo they had taken of one guy’s nightstand. On the nightstand was a bottle of liquor, cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, a condom, and a Bible and a Life. Church weekend bulletin.

At first, I felt a bit discouraged. Obviously the church hadn’t made much difference in that guy’s life. But my buddy saw it from a whole different point of view. With enthusiasm he said, “Isn’t it awesome this guy had come to church and had his Bible out? It’s amazing that someone so lost would have felt welcome. He was obviously searching for something. If only he had had more time, maybe our church could have reached him. I love that a guy like this would be coming to our church.”

His insight helped so much. Because that guy who was arrested was the type of person Jesus would have befriended. Even though he was far from perfect, or perhaps especially because he was far from perfect. This guy was “in-process.” And Jesus loves those in-process.

Our Savior accepts us as we are, but he never leaves us there.

Power Lift

As I start setting goals for next year, Lord, I want to make you the priority in all of them. Give me wisdom about what things I should change and what things I should keep the same in the months ahead.