What's Your Status?
Mike Quimby
What would you say your status is today?. Yesterday is no more and who knows what’s in store for tomorrow! On Thursday evening we had a rehearsal with some vocalists from our worship team and I was telling them that at 43 I’m having the best time in my life in ministry!
Even though I’ve been in full-time ministry for over 20 years, it’s been the last couple of years that have made all the difference. I’ve been freed from the shackles of alcohol addiction, I’ve seen my marriage renewed and restored and I’ve experienced the love of God in unimaginable ways!
It’s that very same love that has set me free and transformed me into a fully-devoted follower of Jesus. I’ve been a Christian for a long time. However in the last couple of years my status has changed from being a “fan” of Jesus to being a “follower”.
We are all familiar with the term status. In fact those of us who use Facebook are all too cozy with “status”. We use status to show the world what’s going on with our families, our jobs, our churches, and our pets. And in recent months in particular some of us certainly like to show our status in regards to politics. In fact it seems some of us are more interested in showing our disdain for the candidates we can’t stand than we are lifting up what we consider to be the good qualities in the candidates of our choosing! But I digress…
There is however one status that matters. There is one status that followers of Christ can rest in. Here it is: Forgiven. Or maybe you prefer Redeemed? Or how about Restored? Some of you like the word Free. The truth is these are all valid for the ones who call Jesus Lord. And the best news is that it has nothing to do with us and everything to with God’s goodness and mercy.
In the Old Testament book of Lamentations, in verses 22-23 of chapter 3 it says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Notice it doesn’t say it’s because of all the great things you and I have done! It doesn’t say we survive because of how many people we win over to our side by publicly demonstrating our spiritual or political wisdom!
When you read this scripture you can’t allow yourself to wallow in defeat which is what the enemy wants. If were were completely transparent some of our status' would read: burned out by relationships, worthless, addict, broke, anxious, depressed, or maybe something worse. But the good news is it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with a loving God Who decides every day to show us compassion, forgiveness and infinite love. WOW!
So today, consider your status. There are many words you could use to fill in the blank. Our hope and prayer for you is that you come to the realization of the fact that there is only one status-giver, and that is the one true God - the Father of Jesus. And His status for you today, if you choose to surrender your life to Jesus, is that of Child of God!