Genesis 1:1
‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’
My name is Sam and I am writing my first post on my newly created blog. This blog is my personal memoir, documenting my spiritual journey. I am using this blog to identify and share my challenging trials, reflect on how Biblical truths inspired my hope, and convey lessons learned that may hopefully encourage others to live a godly life that will bring glorify and honor to Jesus Christ, as their Lord God and Savior.
It is my hope that the material gained will be used for a future book publication.
I chose the name “I’m a messy taco” because it is meaningful and easy to remember. First of all, think of a messy taco. You are hosting a game-day party with friends and you want to serve tacos. After all, everyone loves tacos. The fresh ingredients are amazing. You went to the local farmer’s market and bought everything you need. Instead of making the tacos ahead of time, you skipped the hassle and set up a “Do-It-Yourself” taco bar. Perfect! As the friends arrive, they are hungry and ready to eat. From kick-off to halftime, you had no time to enjoy the game, but your friends did. And they especially enjoyed the tacos. Whether the tacos were neatly made or messy, they were loved by all. One friend commented, “The messier, the better.” Messy tacos were the hit of the game-day party.
Humanly speaking, it’s insulting to be called a mess. Especially if the mess affects the emotional part of one’s soul as well as physical appearances. Having a messy life causes pain. Pain hurts and we want to get rid of it, quickly! Since we can’t clean up the mess and just be healthy, we put on a mask to cover things. For example, some people will put on a facade or fake appearance to fool everyone that all is well. But inside, both emotionally and spiritually, they are a mess and feel absolutely worthless no matter how well they may look. Others will try to jeopardize other people to shift or cause distractions so they as not seen as bad as the other guy. The distractor will claim they are not the problem; however, they are the problem. They know it, but life has taught them how to cope: by avoiding and shifting the blame on others. What makes these examples of existence extremely sad is the time and effort that is invested to look good on the outside while trying not to expose all the messy stuff inside. This messy life hinders relationships and joy. They are living a lie.
Theologically, sin is worse than being a mess. Sin is an offense against your Holy God. The Bible shows both the worthlessness and the worthiness of a sinner. These traits are diametrically opposed. In the first case, the worthlessness of a sinner is due to their life of rebellion against the holiness of God. The worthiness of a sinner, on the other hand, reveals the depths of love that God will go to remove the chains of sin that so tightly bind a sinner. For me, I have a personal view of myself as a worthless sinner except by the grace of God. In other words, except by the grace of God, I am a mess, a totally depraved man who was dead in his trespasses and sin. Nevertheless, because of God’s love, mercy, and grace, which cost him the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, I am now a child of God who has worth in His eyes. Regardless of all the messy stuff in my life, which is my sin, Christ died for me. These opposing views of self-worth are supported in the Bible:
Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.”
1 John 3:1 say, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
My stories will reveal that I am worthless on my own merits. But by the grace of God, I am worthy and righteous in his sight. In other words, I’m a “Messy Taco” in desperate need of a Savior.
I want to include one of my favorite Psalms that is very meaningful to me. Due to life’s adversities, one can naturally become overwhelmed with fear. Here in this Psalm, I find hope as a child of God, even in my old age. I praise, worship, and thank God that I can be fruitful and productive for his glory according to His sovereign plan for my life. To this cause, I press on the deny self, take up my cross, and follow Christ, at all costs.
How Great Are Your Works
A PSALM. A SONG FOR THE SABBATH.
92 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me[a] fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.