Turning Your Mess Into A Message

Chapter one is about the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well (John 4:1-42). It explores, in a very classical and literary way, the origin of the Jewish and Samaritan conflicts; the probable reason why the Samaritan woman went to the well at noon to fetch water (not at the time when everyone else was at the well); and her social, biblical, moral, cultural, and philosophical values. It highlights her internal struggles with doubt, self esteem, shame, disgrace, lack of acceptance, and sexual sin. This chapter reveals some deep theological truths as it unravels the complex questions the Samaritan woman asked Jesus and how He graciously opened her eyes in order for her to see in the final analysis that He was the Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach משיח).

Chapter two entitled, “Jabez: God Turns a Mess of Pain into a Message of an Enlarged Territory,” is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Jabez, an Old Testament character, whose name means “pain,” has become well known through a little book authored by Bruce Wilkerson entitled, “The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life.” Being cognizant of Wilkerson’s book and the attention that the prayer of Jabez has received over the past decade, this chapter was written in a creative way to draw attention to Jabez’s life before he was born, the agonizing circumstances surrounding his birth, the logic and significance of his name and names in the Old Testament, and how he became a man who was most honorable in the eyes of God. It points out how Jabez realized that there were “destiny vultures” in his life and he had to deal with them head on (with the help of God Almighty) in order to change his future. The chapter is intended to help readers understand how God not only has the ability, but is also willing and ready to turn our life of pain, frustration and disappointments into a message of an enlarged territory.

Chapter three, “Zacchaeus: God Turns a Messy Life of Corruption into a Message of Honesty, Trust, Restitution and Redemption,” is found in Luke 19:1-10. The main character is Zacchaeus, a short man. Have you ever thought about how physical disability can lead to spiritual disability? Better still, have you thought about how physical disability could influence and sometimes define social, political, moral, and ethical values? This chapter is an eye opener to “Zacchaeus’ world,” a world that many of us have never and probably would never experience. It touches core societal and contemporary issues such as bullying, trust, betrayal, and the quest to find justice, fame, and inner peace, even if it is at the expense of others.

Chapter four, taken from Ruth 1:1-4:22, is entitled, “Ruth: God Turns a Messy Situation of Death and Hopelessness into a Message of God’s kinsman-redeemer.” In life, all of us experience challenges. Being a Christian does not mean that we will not be faced with trials and tribulations which are like potholes in our lives (some are big while others are small). For some of us, the idiomatic expression, “When it rains, it pours,” is indeed true. Our potholes just keep getting larger and no amount of patch seems good enough to stop the holes from getting larger. Ruth had her share of life’s challenges. Beginning with the death of her father-in law, brother-in-law, and husband and also the possibility of returning to her people and a god she once abandoned, this woman had to make a hard decision. What were some of the factors that influenced her decision? Why and how did God send a kinsman-redeemer into her life? Who is your kinsman-redeemer and how can you get your kinsman-redeemer to fulfill God’s plan and purpose in your life? These are a few of the questions to which you will find answers that will change the course of your life forever.

Chapter five entitled, “The Thief on the Cross: God Turns a Messy Situation of Eternal Separation into a Message of Abiding Presence,” is examined from Luke’s account of the events that took place when Jesus was on the cross (Luke 23:39-43). This chapter deals with some serious theological issues such as deathbed conversion, participation in the sacraments of the church, Christ’s view on offering forgiveness without prior repentance, different types of sins, etc. It is a solid biblical teaching on how anyone (especially those who have had an encounter with the Risen Christ) can change course even at the last moment of life when all hope is lost and all of hell is rejoicing because one more soul is about to be condemned for eternity. In the story, the thief recognizes his condition, confesses his sins, and commits himself to the King of Glory even after having been condemned to die a humiliating death on the cross. This chapter gives hope to those who feel that God will not accept them because of their past. It is about grace, the free unmerited favor that God has shown to us through the sacrificial death of Jesus, His One and only begotten Son. If you would like to understand the intricate details about grace, this is the chapter that will provide the theological foundation of Christ’s work on Calvary.

Chapter Six entitled, “Jephthah: God Turns a Messy Life of Being an Outcast into a Message of Being a Hero but…” is found in Judges 11:1-40. Jephthah is best known by many because of the unnecessary vow he made to God in which he promised to sacrifice the “first thing” that greeted him if he returned home victorious from the battle against the Ammonites. Unfortunately as we know, the “first thing” that greeted him when he returned was his daughter (his only child). There were a lot of things that happened before that vow was made. Jephthah, the son of a prostitute who was unwanted, disgraced, and cast out of the house by his siblings while the elders of Israel stood by and watched, became a hooligan, ruffian, warlord, and head of a gang of outcasts. Later, he became the judge of Israel and head of the army. How did it happen? How did Israel go from being a nation that was very rebellious towards God to becoming a nation that wanted to make things right and make amends? How did the elders engage Jephthah, ask for his forgiveness after having wronged him all those years while still keeping their dignity intact? How did Jephthah, an illegitimate son of Gilead, a child of shame, and a man with an improper pedigree, insufficient judicial and military preparation become the hope of Israel? Finally, when his dream was realized, what prompted him to choose that particular vow, and did he carry out the vow by killing his only child? In a thought-provoking, theologically accurate, and soul searching manner, this chapter deals with all of the questions mentioned above and many more. It cautions readers to be mindful of the fact that God can turn our mess into a message, but we have to guide that message so that it doesn’t become a mess again! Read the chapter to find out how you could protect your message from becoming a mess again.