God’s Plan A

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (WEB)

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. I don’t know about you but that sentence humbles me. It makes me bow my head. I t makes me go to my knees. It makes me want to jump up and look Jesus in the eyes and say, “Are you NUTS?!! You are counting on me to bring Your message of such extravagant love that draws everyone to YOU?!” And I see Jesus look at me with His kind, all-knowing eyes and saying, “Yes, Jody. After all that I have given you – who better than to tell that story.”

As I write this, I am remembering again where I used to be. A sinner. An arrogant, ‘I don’t need anyone’ sure of myself woman who was so lost and lonely. It did not matter that I had friends and family, I felt unlovable and so I could not receive any love. When I was down in the pit and finally reached out for the Hand that had always been there, the sin washed out of my life and love, extravagant, healing love flooded me. My battered, bleeding heart was healed. My depressed spirit was pumped with joy! Now I know what Jesus meant! I want to tell someone about how God, my Creator, did reconcile me to Him!

An ambassador speaks for the One he/she represents. He/She is to be recognized as the same as the One they represent. What representation do I present? Jesus is gentleness and yet strong. Jesus is intense and powerful and yet has humor and joy. Jesus is Savior, Creator, and Friend. If I spoke every day of the rest of my life about my LORD, I still would not cover all the facets of my LORD.

Can I really grasp the magnitude of how Jesus, who never knew sin, became SIN, so that I could live with Him forever? I have a relationship with my Creator! That is the ‘missing piece’ that born in me. All the searching for that ‘something’ that kept me from saying, “I’m happy. I’m satisfied.” I tried to fill it with so many ‘things’ and with people who have come in my life. And it didn’t work! For over 40 years there was this ‘something’ that was missing in my life. What was missing was a relationship with God. When I “become the righteousness of God”, I have a relationship with God ! It is a treasure that I keep inside of myself and then freely reach inside of my heart and offer this wonderful gift to the next person who is hurting and in need.

I have been given this ministry and I can not keep it to myself. God has given His love (grace) and forgiveness (mercy) and wants me to be His Hands and Feet to take it – out there. Wherever out there is – that is where I am to take this ministry of reconciliation. Thank You, LORD, for not having a Plan B.