As Is

We have all had moments where we have felt that our bow was "unstrung."  That's where I was a few years ago.  I came across Job 30:11 Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me...  As a result, I went on a mission.  I was bound and determined that I was going to teach a lesson on this verse but I needed the prop.  I love thrift stores and second hand stores.  I love those perfect finds and I was sure I could find a bow sommmmmewhere that would be just what I needed without me having to turn it into what I needed.

Shouldn't be too difficult to do right? Find a bow with a broken string.  So I set out to find it.  I could have gone out and bought a new one and made it into what I needed, but I wanted one that had already sufferred through the war.   I looked at all my personal favorite thrift stores and garage sales, anywhere I travelled I sought out thrift store because it had to be what I needed.  I can tell you about thrift stores in San Diego, San Antonio, Dallas, Fredericksburg and many more.  However, one day right here in Cleveland, I went into a thrift store and there it was!  I did not have to go far!  I finally found it.  I picked it up and I just felt it!  It was perfect.  What drew me to it was the blue sign attached to it which read AS IS.

I thought "As Is?"  How silly "As Is" is how I need it! Just like a bomb shell it hit me...."As Is" is just how God needs me.  I had been running around trying to find this "perfect" item and trying to be this "perfect" woman and in my brokenness, God delivered the message that He wanted me just as I was.  In His perfection and Holiness, he would use me to be what He needed me to be. 

We are coming into a season where God called Mary to be the mother of our Savior.  She did not ask for time to get ready, she did not question, she did not concern herself with what Joseph might have thought.  She willingly accepted and God used her just as she was. 

Several years have passed since that "unstrung bow" but life continues to throw it's challenges.  My prayer is that I will spend less time trying to be what I think I need to be, spend less time trying to be picture perfect, spend less time trying to fix me and voluntarily allow God to use me "As Is."

I am the Lord's servant Mary answered.  "May it be to me as you have said."  Luke 1:38