Open Arms
by Max Lucado
**How do you think God can use you to help change the world? Tell us
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If you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, look at the people God used to change history. A ragbag of ne’er-do-wells and has-beens who found hope, not in their performance, but in God’s proverbially open arms.
Abraham- God took what was good and forgave what was bad and used “old forked tongue” to start a nation. Moses- would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did. David- his track record left little to be desired, but his repentant spirit was unquestionable. Jonah- God put him in a whale’s belly to bring him back to his senses. But even the whale couldn’t stomach this missionary for too long.
On and on the stories go: Elijah, the prophet who pouted; Solomon, the king who knew too much; Jacob, the wheeler-dealer; Gomer, the prostitute; Sarah, the woman who giggled at God. One story after another of God using man’s best and overcoming man’s worst.
The reassuring lesson is clear. God used (and uses!) people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars—he uses them all. And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.
Jesus later summarized God’s stubborn love with a parable. He told about a teenager who decided that life at the farm was too slow for his tastes. So with pockets full of inheritance money, he set out to find the big time. What he found instead were hangovers, fair-weather friends, and long unemployment lines. When he had had just about as much of the pig’s life as he could take, he swallowed his pride, dug his hands deep into his empty pockets, and began the long walk home; all the while rehearsing a speech that he planned to give to his father.
He never used it. Just when he got to the top of the hill, his father, who’d been waiting at the gate, saw him. The boy’s words of apology were quickly muffled by the father’s words of forgiveness. And the boy’s weary body fell into his father’s opened arms.
The same open arms welcomed him that had welcomed Abraham, Moses, David, and Jonah. No wagging fingers. No clenched fists. No “I told you so!” slaps or “Where have you been?” interrogations. No crossed arms. No black eyes or fat lips. No. Only sweet, open arms. If you ever wonder how God can use you to make a difference in your world, just look at those he has already used and take heart. Look at the forgiveness found in those open arms and take courage.
And, by the way, never were those arms opened so wide as they were on the Roman cross. One arm extending back into history and the other reaching into the future. An embrace of forgiveness offered for anyone who’ll come. A hen gathering her chicks. A father receiving his own. A redeemer redeeming the world.
No wonder they call him the Savior.
From No Wonder They Call Him the Savior
© (W Publishing Group, 1986, 2004) Max Lucado
Used by permissionPermanent devotional link
Questions: Can you think of someone today who needs your forgiveness? Upon thinking about people that God used in Bible times i.e. Moses, David etc, how does that affect your attitude in regards to how you can help change the world today?
About the Author: Max Lucado
Thank you for the daily devotion “Open Arms”. I am really blessed with the message,its a great comfort to know that in the midst of trials and storms in our life God is always there for us with an open arms. How great is the love of God bestowed upon us giving us the privilege to call Him Father .I’m praying that He will use us for His Glory!
What a beautiful picture of Jesus….one arm extending back into history and one arm extending into the future. Reaching out to each one of us with his salvation. Thank you Lord for your amazing gift of life. Thank you that there is no one beyond your reach…you love us and beckon us with those outreached arms. Lord I pray for anyone who does not know your saving grace. Draw them close to you Lord and open their eyes and hearts. Give them a revelation of your mercy and compassion and a future with you. In His mighty name, Jesus, I pray. Amen
Good morning my dear friends,
How inspiring is the thought that God uses imperfect people to do His work on earth. I pray that I would allow Him to work in my life so that everyone I come into contact with would know the love of Christ. I pray that for each one of you too. Loving you all from here. Donna
This is a great devotion; relationships we all have them. Some are easy and others have their ups and downs. This reminder to stay open and willing and proactive in trying to keep them healthy is the message we are receiving a lot in our lives the past few weeks. Thanks for being used of Him as one of the voices.
Don’t be easy to take offense and be quick to forgive seems to be the over all lesson
As well as being eager to model Christ’s character in difficult situations.
Ouch. Not always easy is it?
This devotional on open arms is a blessing. I need to forgive more and be with open arms to those who leave me and make me feel terrible. Its so hard to not judge others and tell them that its okay. I need to practice these things of forgiveness and with that just accept people back who want to be in my life.
What a great thought… God can use me, even with all my imperfections, to change the world…. beginning in my little corner of it. It occurred to me that a good question to ask myself this morning is, “Am I allowing God to use me as a change agent in my world today? Is there somewhere I can influence the change of attitude or the change of response by being open to God changing me today?” Lord, keep my heart open to Your Holy Spirit as my change agent today.