The word 'reserved' carries an atmosphere of grace and exclusivity. It implies that something is being held for a person worthy, not just anyone. The nicest seats in the casino are reserved for the biggest players, the best seats at the football game are reserved for the biggest business. However, the seats in Heaven are reserved for the most broken. Unlike the reservations of our fallen world, we are not judged by our worthiness in order to claim our seat next to Him. We are judged solely on whether or not we have opened our hearts to accept the love that Jesus has given us so freely. I can't say for sure, but I would venture to guess that the view from Heaven ranks a little higher than box seats at the Yankees game- and the cost definitely can't be beat.
The thing that breaks my heart about Christianity is that it is perceived so poorly through the eyes of the world. We are seen as judgmental, hateful, exclusive, bitter and archaic. These are traits of the humans that try and embody a perfect love, and fail because we are imperfect people. Though we follow a perfect Savior, we will never measure up, and therefore will always do an injustice to his name by worldly standards. The good news is that our Father does not look upon us in comparison to worldly standards. All of our failed attempts to be good Christians, good people, good friends...he sees the effort in your heart. He recognizes the good in us, even when we cannot see it within ourselves.
The world today preaches the standards of beauty, the standards of societal acceptance. From ages younger and younger we are conditioned to believe that we must look, speak, believe, act, live a certain way in order to be worthy of love. We are taught that acting a certain way will disqualify us of ever being worthy. Going on social media for five minutes will leave you feeling inadequate in every sense of the word, questioning your worth. Perhaps you are on the opposite of the spectrum, and you are the one making others feel like less of a person. The good news is the greatest love in the universe comes without strings attached.
The most popular myth about Jesus is that his love is conditional. That we must bow our head and say our prayers before we fall asleep at night or have a meal. We must attend church on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. We must only associate with those who do the same. False, false, false. Jesus' love for us is not contingent upon our actions. There is not a deed in this world that will ever make us worthy of a seat in Heaven, but there is a love powerful enough to bring us there anyways. The biggest tragedy in this world is a child of the Lord going through life feeling unworthy and unloved. The truth is: we have all been made worthy because we are so incredibly and immensely loved.
Think about what you would consider your biggest flaw...the thing you lie awake at night dissecting about your personality. Whether it be your judgmental soul or your painful shyness, your hot head or your fragile heart.
Think about your biggest mistake...what you wish you could take back, what you wish you could blot out of your past.
Think about your insecurities...why aren't you "good enough" ?
Now think about this:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139 NIV
This verse is so incredibly beautiful because it speaks volumes of love. You were drawn up, piece by piece, quirk by quirk, long before you ever took your first breath. Before you had any insecurity, regret or shame, God knew you. When you were nameless and faceless, he knew you and he loved you because he made you. Read this verse and recognize your importance. "When I was woven together in the depths of the Earth..." The Lord does not take your life lightly, you were made with immense love and intricate design. From the moment you became a soul in his hands, he loved you and desired to see you back home in His kingdom one day. From before your first breath, your seat has been reserved.
The verse to remember: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 - NIV
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it. Psalm 139:14 - NLT
I hope you enjoyed... as always I would love to hear thoughts/comments/critiques/etc, feel free to leave them on the anonymous form on my home page! Happy Friday everyone!
XOXO