Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, from a heart of repentance:

“‘…my name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD Almighty. But you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, ‘It is defiled’…”
(Malachi 1:11-12)

Forgive me, Jesus.

I’ve said that.

Oh, not in those exact words…

but in effect.

When I’ve watched church leaders stumble

make bad calls
behave in questionable ways
exercise poor judgment
set unwholesome examples
throw me an unwelcome curve

when I’ve seen Christians fall short

compromise their stand
have really bad days
lose their cool
say stupid stuff
engage in counterproductive activities

I’ve sometimes wondered why You chose to use them

to set Your table.

Doesn’t that defile Your table?
Doesn’t that detract from the good news of Your gospel?
Doesn’t that send the wrong message?

And then I get to thinking…

maybe that is the message –

that in love You’re willing to work through people like them

and me.

_________
Genesis 12:18-19; Genesis 18:10-15; Genesis 20:1-7; Genesis 26:7-10; Numbers 20:9-13; Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 9:33-35; John 12:4-8; 1 Timothy 1:15-16

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.