Amazing

Ah, summer...beaches... convertibles... sun...cool breezes...ice cold drinks...it can be an amazing time. But it all makes too much sense usually. I mean you don't drive a convertible in the rain or when its 28 degrees, do ya? Ice cold drinks in sub zero weather seem out of place. We like it when it all seems to fit...it all works as it should...and maybe that's why we like summer and all that is "supposed" to go with it. In our world, as humans, that's how we like it I suppose...yet in God's Kingdom, it ain't as tidy as we often like. It is amazing to consider how God uses the foolish things... to make eternal impact. Hilarious, when you think of the imperfect bozos who often lead the way...in our time...in past generations...and all through out scripture as well. What a rag-tag bunch we are. It makes me bust a gut laughing. Sometimes it makes me cry from the depths of my soul. Sometimes it makes me clench-fisted angry. But mostly...it amazes me! God in His baffling brilliance has chosen to entrust His message of hope to a bunch of goober brains like you & me? Now why? Why not just do one of those God things...and reveal yourself to us all...you know, overwhelm us with your God-ness! Then, this whole thing is done...settled...you're in or you're out...and off to the eternal new heaven & new earth stuff where we can finally live without pain, without brokeness, with total provision, in perfect love, and in perfect peace! Hey, isn't that what we all crave... believer and not-yet-believer alike? Yet the process God chose is... slow... sloppy...messy...seemingly imperfect, if you will...YET completely brilliant at the same time. To us, it don't make sense. Yet doesn't it paint a wonderful picture. It clearly reminds us that God's ways are not like ours...and it also screams out HOPE! It clearly screams out that God doesn't need perfect people to accomplish His perfect will...He can truly turn all things around for good, for those who will trust Him, in spite of themselves...and in that get us & our world to God's intended destination! Now we all have seen people and wondered... how did God ever use a moron like him (or her)? We see them in the bible...we see them in church history...we see them in churches we've been in or read about...perhaps we've even seen it in ourselves, in the mirror. Yet this random, messy journey God has us on reminds us that its not about being perfect and having it all together... but it is about Who you trust in living it all out. Somehow, someway, God's Kingdom has been and will be expanded by buffoons... and I love it! That means I'm eligible to be a part of it all. As much as it frustrates me sometimes, it also encourages me to press on, to get back up, to keep moving in a Jesus led direction...cause somehow He can use my mess...my sloppiness...my wayward heart...my rough edges...and still, by His Spirit, accomplish His purpose through my fragile life. Wow, at ECHO, we consider that a song of hope...a message to be embraced and shared. Yes, even a message to be screamed from the rooftops and down the alley ways. Let it ECHO...Guess what, God loves you so much, He ain't gonna give up on you, and He'll use your imperfect self to accomplish perfect Kingdom things...if you trust Him! That is something amazing... something to be celebrated...something to pass on...so embrace it and enjoy!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead pastor dude, ECHO