Messing Up

In this reflection Iain Jamieson writes about those moments when we mess up. Sometimes it’s our fault, and sometimes we are the victim of circumstance - simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever has happened, we have made a mistake and feel terrible. We can be left feeling a need to be redeemed, to be put back together - to feel whole again. Even in the midst of despair, Iain shows us that it is possible to be welcomed back, to be enfolded by God’s grace and glimpse the road back to dignity, affirmation, and belonging.


We can all fall

We can all mess up

But sometimes life just sends a storm our way

We can get caught up in a maelstrom.

Sometimes we can be on our very knees.

We can sink back sometimes into loving arms (and that can definitely be the thing to do) but you know, there’s always the risk we can sink further into darkness and away from love.

There is no place God can’t reach you.


But.


We are also invited to do something else.

Seek redemption.

Seek it with all our heart and all our strength.

And fight. Just keep fighting until we can’t.

And there will be strength given to you, more strength than you ever thought you had.

And you will find redemption.

Lord,

I fail in so many ways

Sometimes it as if the world failed me.

So hard to make it make sense.

Just going round and round in circles, I can’t seem to see a way out.

Lord,

Show me a path

Give me the strength and the fight to walk it

Lift me up from my knees

And let me stand

Show me the way to redemption

For in you I’m redeemed.

The fight fought

And these battles won.

Amen.


Iain Jamieson

Readings

  • he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

    In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.

    Ephesians 1: 5-14
    NIV
  • “Remember these things, Jacob,

    for you, Israel, are my servant.
    I have made you, you are my servant;
    Israel, I will not forget you.
    I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
    your sins like the morning mist.
    Return to me,
    for I have redeemed you.”

    Isaiah 44:21-22
    NIV

Prayers

  • Show me a path

    Lord,

    Show me a path

    Give me the strength and the fight to walk it

    Lift me up from my knees

    And let me stand

  • Show me the way

    Show me the way to redemption

    For in you I’m redeemed.

    The fight fought

    And these battles won.

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