From The Gutter

If you look closely at these images you will notice that this fresh, new, alive growth is coming from the drain.  Essentially it is coming from the gutter.  Something new, fresh, alive, beautiful is coming from the gutter.

The biblical narrative is rich with heroes who essentially came from the gutter.  Gutter is such a broad term, really.  It could mean poverty, low position, rejection, sin, poor decisions, heartache, or defeat.

Let's start with Moses. We find his narrative in the book of Exodus.  He was once a murderer.  And what did God call him to?  He lead God's people out of slavery.  He was a poor speaker (Exodus 4:10) and yet he spoke before the man with the most power in all of Egypt--Pharaoh.

Abraham's wife. Not only did she treat her maidservant awfully, but she laughed at God's plans and lied about it.  I don't want to come down too hard on her, I have to ask "Lord, how am I like her?" from time to time.  In spite of her hate-filled bitterness toward Hagar (Genesis 16 and Genesis 21) and her outright criticism of God (Genesis 18), she was selected by God to be the mother of many nations.  A pure demonstration of God's grace.

David, was a man after God's own heart.  Simultaneously, his self-pleasing passions drove him to fornication, and murder, and coverup.  Yet, we would not have the vast richness of the Psalms if it were not for his great, great heartache--hunted down by armies, hunted down by his own son, his best friend was killed, his infant son died.  David is an example of beauty from the gutter.

Paul's ministry came about after he persecuted the church.  Murdered.  Tortured.  Arrested.  Persecuted.  And yet, most of the New Testament records his letters to the church. His letters to various people and churches have inspired the church for centuries.  Extraordinary faith.  Passionate about the work of God--advancing all over the earth.

Jesus.  Jesus was born in humble circumstances.  He was born to poor parents.  He was persecuted, arrested, tortured, humiliated, and murdered.  He rose from the dead.  Today, he rescues believers from the pit.  He sanctifies, purifies, and sets free.  We encounter beauty because He suffered.

Beloved, does this season feel like a gutter to you?  Hardship?  Family conflict?  Issues at work?  Health concerns?  Confusion?  Doubt?  Uncertainty?  I'll share this with you: good things come from the gutter.

Trust in His promises.  Rest in His provision.  Be encouraged by fellow believers.  Stay anchored in His Word.  I'll repeat that: Stay anchored in His Word. 

Because He loves me,

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