Life in a Stump

Apologies for this entry being EXTREMELY late but here it is. A couple of weeks ago Brad spoke to us on Isaiah 11:1-10. At the time Israel was in a mess and like a stump, there was no life, it was rock bottom, hit the floor, right there in the dirt. Often I find myself thrown into that position, to feel surrounded by darkness, engulfed in my own sin and sometimes seeing no way out and sometimes even not knowing where I am.

This week, I've been listening to sermons on the beatitudes and the first one especially hit a chord within me. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. I've heard so many people say that this is about the poor, those who have no money or that it's about the humble...something to be attained. But that is not the case, being 'poor in spirit' is not a good thing, it refers to those who are lacking, those who are steeped in sin. The poor in spirit are the people who struggle with what they look at on the internet, those who have a desire to get to the top and will step on everyone to do it, those who see a homeless guy on the street and kick him. Jesus says blessed are these people, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is exactly the message in Isaiah. Israel was poor in spirit, just as we are. Israel was dead, all hope was lost, just as we are. But God promises new life, God promises change, peace, salvation. Just as it is promised to us. This is the gospel, the good news of Christ. It's not about having to attain a certain standard before you can meet God but He will meet us where we are. However low we've shrunk, even if we have hit rock bottom. God's blessing is not for those who have it all together, for those who believe themselves to be righteous, but it is for you and me, in all of our flaws and struggles. God will meet us where we are and there is always hope, there is always life, even from a tree stump.

~Sck