Goodness Gracious: 14 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious LifeSample

Yes, God Uses Imperfect People

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ROMANS 8:1

Ever feel so guilty about something that it suffocates you? Goodness gracious, how I can relate, my friend. Thoughts of “Why did you do that, ya nincompoop?” fill the heart and mind. You wish it was just a bad dream, where you can wake up with relief knowing it wasn’t real.

There was a period in my life where I was so broken, I didn’t feel worthy enough to worship God. I felt like He could no longer use a shameful mess like me. I told myself that a girl with my kind of baggage isn’t worthy of being used by the Lord. Even though my repentance was sincere, I still saw myself as damaged goods.

But God. But the cross, where He bore it all!

Jesus doesn’t require us to be faultless or pain-free in order to step into His presence. In fact, there is nothing we can ever do to make Him love us more, and there is nothing we’ve ever done that will make Him love us less. It is in His presence where we can expect forgiveness, express sorrow, and experience a completely transformed life.

The Bible is full of men and women who have made mistakes. However, despite it all, God used them anyway.

Here are just a few examples:

Abraham lied.

Peter denied Jesus.

Noah got drunk.

Jonah ran from God.

Jacob was a cheat.

Elijah was suicidal.

Job went bankrupt.

Miriam was a gossip.

Gideon was insecure.

Sarah was impatient.

Jeremiah was depressed.

Thomas doubted Jesus.

Moses was a murderer.

David committed adultery.

Paul slaughtered Christians.

Martha was a worrier.

The Samaritan woman was divorced.

Rahab was a prostitute.

If God can use them, why can’t He use you? He loves you, even when you feel nothing but shame. He is still pursuing you, even in moments where hiding feels safer than being seen. We don’t worship Him because we are good; we worship Him because He is good! Whatever heaviness you have been carrying, today is the day the shame game ends.

Jesus, thank You for the cross, where You bore my shame. Heal my wounds, forgive my past. Today, I receive newness in You. Amen.