How God Uses Flawed Humans for Sacred Work

Lately, on social media, I have been reading opinions that are not very charitable in nature. However, although I "work on" myself daily, and fail often, I find myself comparing these types of comments to my thoughts. For instance, someone stated that Mel Gibson had no business making a movie about Christ because he was an alcoholic and a womanizer. The old me, from years ago, probably would have agreed, but thought oh, why not? He is a film maker, let him do what he does best, not considering the judgement being made in the comment, which I perceive today as rash, inconsiderate and very hasty.

But the new me has a different response. Firstly, I thought of David from scripture, who was engaged in all sorts of questionable activities, including having sex with women who should have been off limits. He also was told by God that he was a "man of blood". Although the comment may be painfully truthful about Mel Gibson, what particularly disqualifies him from producing a film about Christ? I understand Mel is a recovered alcoholic. I am very familiar with the behaviors of alcoholics. A person may be recovered, but they are battling alcoholic behaviors for life. It is a eternal struggle, and most of the time, it takes a spiritual conversion to change, which I did read that Mel experienced.

Who then would make for a better candidate to create such a film that is more worthy of praise? Perhaps a priest, a bishop or even one of our Saints from long ago?

The reality is that even the Saints were sinners at one time. They were not exempt from confession, nor are priests or bishops.

We are all sinners, falling short of the glory of God.

But God is pleased when we recognize our weakness and reliance on Him. He would rather us boast in our weakness as in 1 Corinthians 22-25:

"Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

When God appoints you to do something, there is no stumbling block to hold you back from accomplishing that which was Divinely appointed. God wants to make this known by choosing the most unlikely people to do his bidding. He wants to know if we are up to the call, if we will listen, and follow through, just like Mel Gibson did when he first produced "The Passion of Christ".

God does not want us to constantly engage in harmful self-talk where we increase our self-hate. He wants to see us rise up again and again when we fall. A saint a person who does not let anything get in the way of their self-improvement.

Actually, those who do not rejoice for you when you do better-- are not in it "for you". Your progress is their stumbling block.

This is exactly the reason why I see frequent bashing of Mel Gibson's efforts on social media. Mel haters cannot understand how a man like him continues to be so successful. But there is no understanding God's ways, and to know that much is sufficient. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord."--Isaiah 55:8.

Let all tongues be mute.