Denise Whitfield
Director of Christian Education
Family Portraits
The events recorded in the Scriptures put humanity on display honestly and accurately. We should find that tremendously reassuring. How would we ever find common ground with the characters found in the Scriptures if they mostly resembled Marvel comic book characters—if all we read in the recorded events of the Bible were stories of spiritual Caped Crusaders and Super Heroes. How could we possibly identify with followers of God who were always victorious, always faithful, always wise, always perfect.
Actually, the Bible provides a colorful recording of the real experiences of real people with real issues. In fact, a close look at a few of them can actually make you feel pretty good about yourself. Consider Lot or Samson. And, you almost have to feel somewhat sorry for God that His Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” includes the likes of the lying Abraham, Sarah the scoffer, Jacob the deceiver, murdering Moses, a harlot and an adulterer (also a murderer). But it is these, and us as well, whom He has redeemed and with whom He has chosen to work. And I don’t know if I am filled more with wonder or thanksgiving because of it.
In His Word we see people, just like us, struggling to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10) The Bible reveals that some days they were not very good at it. Even Paul, who everyone considers a hero of the faith, uttered these honest and revealing words so relatable to us all: “for the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.” (Romans 7:19)
I smile when I think of it—the motley crew that God covenanted to call His own. Picture a snapshot taken at the reunion of a large multigenerational family—each family member with their distinct appearance, though all are related. Do you see them with their varying degrees of attentiveness to the photographer? Some getting along? Some bothersome to others? But here we are—God’s family–blessed beyond measure despite our inability to measure up. Being fully known, fully accepted, fully loved—and remarkably, fully used by our Heavenly Father. And according to the Scriptures, because of His great love, He’s been doing it for years.
