3.24.19 - Messy Story (Kenny Camacho; story by Meredith Camacho)
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51:7-17; Galatians 1:13-2:21
The story of Israel is definitely a messy one, even if that mess isn’t always apparent. The touchstone moments that make up the Israelite journey describe people failing, for good reasons and bad ones, and then seeking redemption over and over again. The constant is never Israel; it is always God’s faithfulness to them. In our own churches, we also sometimes fall victim to idealizing and romanticizing the people God uses to tell His own story. But there has never been a perfect pastor or a perfect church! If we want to flourish at Revolution, we need to remember that we are all shamelessly regular people...and yet, God uses us in incredible ways! Accepting messiness, in our own lives and in the lives of others, isn’t just a matter of “accepting the bad with the good.” It’s an opportunity to be reminded that our stories all have the ability to shine a light on who God is and what He can do in even the most unlikely places.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Read the text from Galatians. The Bible is full of stories of God using the messiness of people’s lives in surprising and powerful ways. Have you ever seen good come from messy situation?
Of the many messy stories in the Bible, is there one in particular you relate to the most?
In what ways have you found yourself in the midst of personal messiness? How has this helped you to develop your relationships with others and Jesus?
In what ways have you avoided leaning into the messiness of others in your own life?
Are there relationships you need to cultivate or nurture so that “the messy” can be brought to light?
Is there a mess in your own life you need to let others into now?