The Screw Up

 This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.

- Frank McKibben

Christmas. It is finally almost here!!!  Cold weather, sweaters, scarves, family, and Christmas decorations have arrived.  Even though the holidays can be hectic and busy, I always find myself with this feeling of peace as the year winds down. For the past few years I have come home from college on Christmas break and I feel as if I can breathe again after school, finals, and all the busyness. This year I shall not return to Oxford in six weeks like usual because I have officially graduated! The reality of it all has not sunk in but when it does I am sure I will be an emotional wreck. But until then, the Lord is showing me a different side of Him this Christmas season. And I couldn't be more thankful...

Most of us know the story of Christmas, and what a sweet story it is!  "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." -Matthew 1:21. I believe for myself and most Christians, we try so hard to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. But to be honest I often find myself lost in translation and anticipating Christmas day while running around like a crazy woman and when the day arrives it flies by in no time! Next thing I know its already mid January. I get beyond distracted with the to do lists and Christmas chaos. But this year is different. Once again, He is teaching me a lesson about why He came, how much I need Him, and His unfathomable overwhelming love.


I recently was listening to a sermon about a married couple who had problems with infertility.  After years of struggling with this issue, the Lord blessed them with a perfectly healthy sweet baby. While the newborn was still in the hospital a nurse made a mistake and gave their child medication that was meant for someone one else. Since the baby was so young this medicine caused permanent brain and nerve damage. The couples pastor came to the hospital to visit them and when he walked in the mother was rocking their precious little baby. The pastor said, "I don't know what to say, I am so sorry." The lady just looked at him and smiled and began to tell the story of what she had already learned from her baby. She said, "From the worlds perspective no one would want this child. He will never be able to live on his own, go the bathroom by himself, change his clothes, or do anything without someones help. He probably wont even know that he needs help and will never be able to give me anything in return. But I don't care, I would do anything for my child and I love him regardless. I had an image of people gathered around and they held my baby up and said who would want this broken incomplete person? And I stood up gladly and said I want it. He is mine and I love Him. Don't you see pastor? This is what Jesus did for us! He knew I would be a lot of work. He knew I would mess up. He knew everything. But he willingly, joyfully stood up and said,

I WANT HER. SHE IS MINE."

I was so overwhelmed by this story and wanted to scream at the top of my lungs I am that baby! Jesus stood up and said He wanted me! Then two days later I was having a conversation over the phone with one of my dearest friends and we were discussing a girl he liked. He said, "I was looking around and started thinking, I am the good Christian guy who is pursuing the screw up." It immediately hit my heart like a ton of bricks. I paused for a long time. Then I said stop stop! Repeat what you just said. He said it again and then I started screaming yes your so right! Don't you get it?! What a beautiful picture of the gospel! That is what Jesus did for us, he pursued the screw up! The one who was helpless, a slave to sin, evil in their very nature from birth. Me, Kailey Kemp, and everyone else God created for His glory. We are the screw ups that He came for. I am humbled by the fact that an all perfect and Holy God left Heaven to come to this world to redeem the screw ups.

I think about his birth and how he entered the world. In a manger. No room anywhere but there. And I am sure people looked at Mary and Joseph as the "screw ups" Unwed. Pregnant. Sinners. BUT then the one foretold, He came. And oh the glory and splendor of our sweet Jesus! 

"Though he was God,

    he did not think of equality with God

    as something to cling to.

⁷ 

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges

    he took the humble position of a slave

    and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

⁸ 

    he humbled himself in obedience to God

    and died a criminal’s death on a cross."

Philippians 2:6-8

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."-Mark 2:17. Every time I hear this verse I want to jump up and down like a small child and raise my hand while screaming thats me! Thats me! We can look down on others and compare our sin to theirs and think yes, Jesus did have to come for those people. But friends, the ground before the cross is all the same. We all are on the same level in need of Jesus.  We are not to wallow in our sin but rejoice that we have a Savior, the one who rides the white horse, who cleanses us by his precious blood! Celebrate our redemption and freedom! As this month goes on I pray for myself and others that this love story will become new again, because it truly is the sweetest love ever known. Happy Birthday month Jesus!

"Brokenness Aside"

All sons and daughters

Will your grace run out

If I let you down 

‘Cause all I know

Is how to run

‘Cause I am a sinner 

If its not one thing its another

Caught up in words 

Tangled in lies 

You are the Savior 

And you take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful 

Beautiful 

Will you call me child

When I tell you lies 

Cause all I know 

Is how to cry 

I am a sinner 

If its not one thing its another 

Caught up in words 

Tangled in lies 

You are the Savior 

And you take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful 

Beautiful 

You make it beautiful

You make it beautiful