The Bible's Not Always Pretty

I have found great joy in following a few people on social media.

Okay, I have great joy from following a lot of people (and even some fun animals, but that's for another post at another time) but in particular a few people who I don't know personally but would love to!

One of those people is a super creative and talented lady from the north. Her name is Lori Hetteen. She creates lovely, funny, thought-provoking and encouraging hand-lettered prints. She writes "haikuish," as she says, and other styles of poetry, too. I have been following her for probably close to a year but back in December she posted one of her pieces on Instagram that made me cry! I immediately sent a link to my parents with a message that if they needed any little ideas for a Christmas gift, this would be a good one. The bonus was that when I opened it on Christmas they had taken it and had it framed for me! When I get a few other things it will be hung on a wall in my office with my ordination certificate. You'll understand why I want it like that when you read it.

"Let me be the moon." Hits me in the feels every time I read it! It was like she knew my heart and put it on paper just for me.

Then last week as I scrolled through the grams, I saw this one:

This image is copyrighted by Lori Hetteen who has given me permission to use for this blog post.

Paul wrote most of his letters from behind prison bars. John had his revelation while secluded in a prison, alone on an island. Rahab was a prostitute who saved a nation. The Messiah, The King, washed the dirty feet of fishermen and tax collectors and hugged the man with leprosy. The same King and Messiah ate a meal in Zaccheus' the tax collector and thief's home. And King David was an adulterous murderer who will forever be known as "The Man After God's Own Heart."

These are some of the men and women who are part of the "cloud of witnesses" written about in Hebrews. They are in the grandstands of heaven with face paint and streamers, whistles and air horns, cheering you on as you persevere towards the finish line. They're the ones who are yelling from the sidelines, "YOU CAN DO IT! DON'T GIVE UP!" They are the ones who have tears in their eyes every time you pass a milestone because they know the race is hard and you are pushing through the pain and exhaustion to make it to another one.

They know the pain and fear of rejection and what it feels like to be marginalized by society. They were the outsiders who have been escorted in by the strong arms of The King through a doorway whose doors were blown off by the surge of mercy and love that blew through them.

And you, YOU, are invited to join the team. You have been picked first. You're not left on the edge as everyone else around you is called on. Oh no...You are CHOSEN. This same team that is made up of a bunch of misfits, outcasts, broken and messed up people who know the benefit of a second chance and a love that knows no bounds wants YOU on their team.

And "this is the house that God has built." A foundation of blood and sweat and a crown of thorns. Walls of redemption and forgiveness. A roof made from the richest grace that no one could ever afford but still, it's there, covering us and sheltering us from the storms of life that rage.

The stories of these men and women are throughout the Bible and are crazy! People tell me the Bible is boring but I would beg to differ. It is far from it! These stories of real people who lived real lives show all of us today that God can use anyone...even me. Even you.

I want say a special thanks to Lori Hetteen for graciously giving me permission to use her poetry print as the illustration and muse for this post. Give her some love and go check out her Instagram and Etsy shop!! Just click on the image of her print above or click here.