Reflections is a weekly meme hosted by Kristin of A Simply Enchanted Life and Fizzy of Fizzy Pop Collection. Every Sunday we will dig deeper in our recent reads to explore the real-life lessons within the pages. Reading the book yourself is not necessary to participate. If you would like to host your own reflection, you’re welcome to copy and paste this introduction, with the link to our pages. You may use our current or prior reflections or come up with your own.
In ‘Murder Simply Brewed’ by Vannetta Chapman, Amber has devoted her life to The Village. A woman of faith she attends services at a local church (she’s not Amish). One Sunday the minister shares a sermon about King David. She’s disturbed by this picture of David, this imperfect picture. Why do you think the Bible includes the experiences of flawed individuals? What can we learn from these portions of scripture?
Let’s talk jacked-up, cray-cray, flawed people. Name me one person you have ever met that is not one (or more) of the aforementioned descriptors. I’ll wait. Got a name yet? I didn’t think so. Here’s the thing, every single one of us has issues. Some have so much baggage they have a second vehicle just to carry it. Not all mind you, but some. Some people just have a carry-on. Those people are rare. Just sayin’. If you went to church or read the Bible and only learned and read about people who were perfect would you feel like any of it applied to you? I didn’t think so. Who wants to take life lessons from someone who is perfect? What can a perfect person teach me? Not much as we wouldn’t be able to begin to relate to each other. I think that King David is a perfect example of how God can meet us right where we are, flaws and all, and still use us for His glory. (See what I did there?) David was CHOSEN by God. David was a man after God’s own heart. David was human. He screwed up, he hurt people, and he made horrendous choices. God still CHOSE him. God still loved him. And heavens to Betsy, God still used him. You don’t have to be perfect to be chosen by God. You don’t have to be a murderer either so don’t go getting any ideas there. I believe that the Bible includes flawed (sometimes deeply flawed) individuals as a constant reminder that everyone has messed up yet still of value to God. I think that in today’s world, where sin is literally on the street corners, it is vital that we are reminded by our faith and our Father that no matter where we’ve been, no matter what we’ve done, we are still of value to Him.
Your turn! Why do you think the Bible includes the experiences of flawed individuals? What can we learn from these portions of scripture? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
When I was writing this book, I had a pastor who did preach on King David … and thus this scene. This pastor was something of a hoot. At Bible study we’d ask him to explain a particularly unsettling passage, and he’d respond with “Why is that person even in our Bible?” … and then he’d smile. Not much of an answer. Right? And yet it caused us to dig deeper and look and pray and try to land on some understanding as to why God chose such messed up, wonderfully redeemed people for us to read about.