Awkward

 

    Awkward (adj)

     1.  causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with.

     2. causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience.

We don’t value awkwardness. In fact, it’s something we try to avoid at all costs. We don’t like awkward situations or feelings. The reality is that sometimes awkward situations make us behave… awkwardly. It’s a horribly uncomfortable feeling that most of us try to avoid in whatever way we can.

We can see by the words in the definition that this is not a way in which we like to feel, be or behave. We don’t want to be difficult, hard to deal with, embarrassing, or inconvenienced, and we certainly don’t want to be in situations that are described in such a way either.

It just gets…well…awkward.

What’s really interesting though is that if you’ve ever spent any amount of time in scripture, you’ll notice that there are many situations and people who are awkward.

We have Gideon who we find threshing wheat on the floor of a wine press because he’s afraid of the Midianites. (Judges 6:11)

We have Jonah who causes a boat full of people to head into a storm because he disobeys God and winds up in the belly of a fish. (If that’s not awkward I don’t know what is.) (Jonah 1-4)

We have Peter who bravely steps out of a boat, takes two steps towards Jesus and then sinks into the waves. (Matthew 14:22-33)

And we can’t forget that young girl Mary who was faced with telling her parents and fiancé that she was pregnant without ever doing a thing! (Luke 1:26-38)

Awkward moments. Uncomfortable situations. Situations that might cause us to say to ourselves, “I’m glad that wasn’t me.”

We don’t like feeling awkward, but there’s an obvious reality that we see over and over in scripture.

God uses awkward moments in big ways. God guides His people through awkward situations. He doesn’t supply a different route.

God takes Awkward, difficult, hard to deal with, embarrassing, inconvenient situations and people and works miracles.

  Gideon became a fearless warrior.

  Jonah turned out to be an obedient (albeit reluctant) prophet.

  Peter becomes the rock in which Jesus builds his church.

  And that young girl Mary becomes the mother of the Son of God.

Are you facing something awkward? Are you dreading an uncomfortable situation or a difficult time?

Perhaps God is preparing to work a miracle into the very thing you’re dreading.

Maybe on the other side of whatever you’re dreading is a gift. God may be raising up in you a brave spirit or an obedient heart.

It was when these people focused on God and took their eyes off the uncomfortable events in front of them, that things started to change.

Where is your focus? Set your eyes on God and away from what ever it is you might be dreading.

You may be surprised at what you’ll find when you allow God to guide your steps and lead you through.

 

-Pastor Patti