Messy & Stained

Hot coffee dripped from under the flimsy lid, landing right in the middle of my shirt. I had just started my Meals on Wheels delivery route and hadn’t even made it to the first stop yet.

Great.

The brown liquid wouldn’t be disguised well on my light grey top. But then again, the whole morning had come about in a rush. My was hair thrown back in a pony tail, whisps of strands blown loose by the wind, stuck in every direction. The only productive things I’d accomplished that morning, concerning my appearance, was to brush my teeth and put in my contacts. Other than that, this was me in my natural state.

Messy and stained.

I don’t know about you, but it’s easy to find myself thinking I can only come to God, that I can only be used by God, if I’ve got it together.

When my life is in order.

When things settle down.

When I check off that task. Mark off that accomplishment. When I organize my calendar in a better manner so that I can find sufficient time.

When I stop losing my temper.

When I quit thinking unholy thoughts.

When I finally read through the entire Bible a few times over and have a better handle on what all it says.

But the truth is, as well all know by now, the day we have it all together will never actually arrive.

Because time will keep ticking, and people will keep demanding, and schedules will keep filling, and sin will keep tempting, and flesh will keep responding, and we’ll keep on waiting – making excuses all the while.

Now is the time, my friend.

The time to respond to God.

The time to say yes to the calling He’s placed before you.

The time to serve, wherever He’s led you.

Time to repent, to obey, to submit.

Now is the time to draw near.

Not then… not when… but now.