Sivin Kit’s Garden

Here’s a segment from Scazzero’s book “The Emotionally Healthy Church” that energized me and encouraged me as I’m preparing for another phase in my discipleship and ministry. It’s very humbling …

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We constantly remind people that the only kind of people God uses are those who do not depend on their own gifts or resources.

- Moses stuttered.
- David’s armor didn’t fit.
- John Mark deserted Pail.
- Timothy had ulcers.
- Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.
- Amos’ only training was farming.
- Jacob was a liar.
- David had an affair, murdered, and abused power.
- Naomi was a widow.
- Paul was a persecutor.
- Moses was a murderer.
- Jonah ran from God’s will.
- Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
- Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
- Elijah was burned out.
- John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
- Martha was a worry wart.
- Noah got drunk.
- Solomon was too rich, and Jesus was too poor.
- Abraham was too old, and David too young.
- Peter was afraid of death, and Lazarus was dead.
- Moses had a short fuse (so did Peter, Paul, and lots of Bible heroes.)

God has always used cracket pots, to “show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7)

It doesn’t mean we encourage people to stay the way they are. Admitting the truth about ourselves, however, is the key starting point for change. My wife and I often remark that the day we admitted we were not loving people was the day we began to be loving toward others. (emphasis mine, p. 124)

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