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Writings of David Chadwell There was a time “when I went to church” that
I wore the best I had. There was a time when I went to a wedding or a funeral
that I wore the best I had. There was even a time when I went on a long trip
(especially if I went by train or plane) that I wore the best I had. In those
days, there were many occasions that called for wearing the best that I had.
No more! Now ‘casual’ is the appropriate attire on many occasions, and ‘casual’
is defined by the one who wears—not the occasion. We used to show respect by
what we wore. If most of us declare anything by our clothing now, wonder what it
is?
When God looks on us, He sees us for what we are. Clothing does not hide sin or
conceal faithlessness. God sees character flaws, not skin blemishes. He sees the
negative emotions we try to hide. He sees lousy attitudes we conceal. He sees
genuine heart motives. Every moment of every day in every situation, He sees the
‘real me’.
The only being in the whole world that knows the total truth about us as
individuals is God. Our wife or our husband knows us well, but not like God
does. Our kids know many of our inconsistencies, but God knows all of them. Our
best friend knows our imperfections, but not as accurately as God knows. He
knows all we think. He knows the correct answer to every ‘why’? He knows the
actual motives in every situation—even when we manage to deceive ourselves. He
even knows the controlled but unsaid.
Yet, the most amazing thing is this: He has all that accurate knowledge of us as
individuals, and He still loves each of us as a person. He is able to forgive me
when I cannot forgive myself. He can forget what I did when I cannot. He can
ignore weaknesses that haunt me. When I fail, He will let me begin again as if I
never made the mistake. When I absolutely hold myself in contempt, He still
cares about me.
When I arrogantly claim I am not responsible for my faults, He can inform me of
the worst thing I have done—yet, He still loves me. When I condemn others for
their flaws, He shakes His head and, in love, hopes I repent (He sees the
two-by-four in my eye while I look at specks in your eye). He sees my anxieties
when I justify them, and, in love, hopes I heed Jesus’ call to come to him. He
saves me in all my imperfections because He loves me. He asks of us but three
core things: (a) let Him be our measuring stick; (b) trust what He did for us in
Christ; and (c) love Him in return for His love for us. Being flawless is not a
divine expectation. Human flawlessness is never an option.
All I can do is trust Him to love me as much as He says He does. My mistakes may
be bigger than your ability to forgive me. However, my mistakes are never bigger
than His forgiveness. He can actually love me when I refuse to love myself.
Perhaps this is the greatest expression of faith: to believe God loves me as
much as He says He does. Only then will I forgive me because He first forgave
me.
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Writings of David Chadwell
