He's still working on me

Something has been on my mind here lately, and now I'm going to write about it. Forgive me if it comes across as a tirade or sermonette. But, this is why I blog. I should mention that this has been one of the hardest blogs I've written, and I've revised it about 5 times now- all in an effort to keep the tone as far from judgemental as possible.

There is a person in my life right now, for which I feel extremely burdened. This person has made quite a few mistakes in their life- mistakes that are obvious and have hurt many people. But yet, I see this person's needs. I want to help and encourage them. I want to show them compassion and love. I feel called to do this. I would love to see other Christians join me in the ministry of encouraging people like that. Because, you see- we are all like that.

However, I often notice that we are not forgiving and compassionate towards those with the "obvious mistakes". We might try to help them in the beginning, but get tired of seeing the same things over, and over again. We give up on people. We even become bitter or angry at seeing them "mess things up again".

But, we are not put on this earth to "fix" people. We are put here to be living, breathing vessels of God's Grace, Love, Compassion and Mercy. My imperfections are so obvious to me each and every day. Some people have instantly obvious, open struggles and battles, while some have equally dark, hidden ones. The odds are, most people already know what their issues are, and are trying to work on them. They don't need their mistakes pointed out for them- they already know. While there is a need and a purpose for a spiritual mentor, God will guide us to the ones for which we are matched.

Jesus Christ ate with sinners. Felt compassion for them. Told stories about the prodigal son, and the lost sheep. Do you really think that God thinks, "Oh, here goes so-and-so again, repentant for their sins.... but it doesn't really matter because they're going to do it again next week- the cycle never ends." NOOOOOOO!!!!! Thank God that He doesn't think that way, or else I'd be in big trouble. One statement a Pastor in my church has made about our church, and Christian fellowship, is that we are "not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners". There are consequences for sin. I think we can all vouch for that, from personal experience. But there's grace, and mercy, too.

This morning, I was mulling over this topic, and a song from a long, long time ago came to my mind. It's one I used to love to sing when I was little, but I don't think I really understood the words. (I'm not sure who to give props for on this song, or if I even have the words in the right order).

He's still working on me...
To make me what I ought to be...
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
the sun and the earth, and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be.
Cause He's still working on me.

There really ought to be
a sign across my heart-
"Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part"
But I'll be perfect- just according to His plan.
I'm fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

God's still working on each and every one of us. The work doesn't stop the day you accept Jesus as Savior. That doesn't make you perfect. The work continues till the day you leave the earth. And His forgiveness, grace and mercy continue until the day we leave the earth and beyond. God understands that we're human, and we might be making the same mistakes at 60 that we made at 25. Hopefully, we learn, but if we don't- He loves us just the same. And we should at least try to treat each other with the same grace.