to my brothers and sisters who need some encouragement this morning

This scripture comes after Jesus tells the disciples they will triumph over the power of the enemy. He tells them not to rejoice in this, but in the fact that their names are written in heaven. If you're struggling like I am with failure, wondering how you could know God and still keep screwing up, take some time today to reflect on the blessings we've been given. Wretched ragamuffins like us have been given blessings beyond what we would consider to be better people. It feels pretty awesome to be one of the jackasses that gets to carry the message of Christ (reference to a talk you can check out by Shane Claiborne). And when you say or do things that are not of God, or are just plain ridiculous, you can read this scripture where Jesus thanks the Father for picking people like us.


"At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will"...Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it'." -Luke 10


So don't stop representing what is holy and good when you fail to be holy and good. You're not the source of it anyway. Be grateful that God picked you anyway. Even with all your problems and struggles. Even when you don't like yourself. Heck, even when no one likes you.