Pathetic Has an Upside

 

“And this is the reason: God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, “I live in a high and holy place…

(pause for emphasis)

but I also live with people who are sad and humble. I give new life to those who are humble and to those whose hearts are broken.”

Isaiah 57:15, NCV

There is no exception, or absolutely no reasoning over this.  Simply put, God is holy and that He lives forever.  That is beyond dispute.  He simply penetrates everything, He is the “first cause” and exercises complete authority over all, and anything that has had any existence whatsoever.  He is all sustaining and completely powerful. This is just basic truth, and these simple ideas woven together, produce some mighty fine theology.

But even with all this, He has a high density love for the desperate.  He searches us out, and tries to find those who know they are pathetically weak.  He has a deep penchant and preference for those who have nothing.  Astonishing?– Yes, but this I admit– stretches me.

When Jesus came, it was not to teach an elegant philosophy, and to be praised by men. But rather it was to find lost people.  He was like a special forces team dropped in a jungle, to rescue prisoners in an evil and dark concentration camp.  He came for anyone who would believe in Him.  Essentially, He provided a salvation for anyone who would take it.  But you have to be desperate, and weak, and pretty much pathetic. The mentally and physically ill are favored by His grace.

He has a high density love for the desperate.

Hearts that’ve been broken have an instant attraction to Him.  You see, He collects flawed hearts, He thirsts for those who have been wounded or ashamed.  If ever you have felt this way, Jesus is already moving towards you, and not away.  The broken and humble of this world will always have a dedicated advocate and Savior in Him.  We only have to ask. He is an excellent public defender.

When we stand in the desperate place, way beyond any kind of help, He comes. And then He exercises real power and authority to release us.  He rescues us when no one, or nothing could.  Some question that all this talk about Jesus, that there might be a sense that it could be overly excessive or misguided.  But when you face the stark reality of being terribly lost, your Savior becomes pretty significant.

I like this verse, it seems to contain much that I need today. It fortifies my soul, and keeps me straight. It’s like God’s multivitamin for my heart. I hope it blesses you as well.

ybic, Bryan

 

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Author: Pastor Bryan Lowe

A repentant rascal with definite issues, but who is seeking to be authentic in his faith to Jesus Christ. An avid reader and a hopeful writer. Husband and father. A pastor and Bible teacher. A brain tumor survivor. Diagnosed with clinical depression, and now disabled. Enjoys life, such as it is, in Alask.a (Actually I have it pretty good.)

3 thoughts on “Pathetic Has an Upside”

  1. Wow, I feel everyone of those labels. And then, people shoving scripture down my throat as if i had never read the Bible a day in my life. I feel shamed and belittled by other believers. I have held to my faith…even when being punished for doing so. I have been violated in unspeakable ways and I hurt….I hurt Lord. I reach out for help and feel like i am having my hand slapped.

    Prolonged and recurring abuses get stuck sometimes in my brain like a runaway freight train. It is terrifying and painful and when it happens all I can think…is to make it stop. I have no clarity to do anything else. So, I Self Harm now…for the last couple months. It is like a defibrillator for my brain. It reboots me back to normal. That is the only time I do it. I don’t obsess about it. I don’t feel compelled. It’s just I can’t take the flood of thoughts and memories. I could let go of them if I felt safe….but I don’t think there is such thing.

    I don’t even see self harm mentioned in here. It’s like people want to believe it doesn’t exist. Yes, I know what the scripture says….but when my mind is moving so fast like that, i don’t have time. Three Mississsipi’s …one strike….and it’s over. I wish it weren’t true but it is. My mind cannot handle what life has done to me. I’m tired….very tired Lord…Please make it stop for me. Please give me rest. Please help me stop feeling like a freak around other believers. i can’t handle any more judgement and unkind words…I need your love Lord. I’m dying without it.

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  2. Great reflection on a precious verse, brother! I have often found refuge here. I’ve been trying in recent months to “practice the presence of God” (via Br. Lawrence) with some success. I have wondered how the practice is affected by the reality that you mention and where is mentioned in the Psalms, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” (Ps 34; 147). Truly, he prefers the pathetic, disabled, run-down, disheveled, ragamuffin freaks that roam the streets of the world. Of whom the world is not worthy . . . .

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