Welcome to the Worthless to Worthy Blog! My name is Grant Goodwin, and I am a devout follower of Jesus. I am a husband to my beautiful wife, Taylor, and father to the most precious four-year-old daughter named Charlie. I am also the host of the Worthless to Worthy Podcast, available on Slackerbilly.com and Spotify.
This blog, just as the podcast, will be a weekly, Bible-led message, only in the attempt to bring God the glory He deserves. I have never - nor will I ever - serve anyone but Him. This is not a platform for me to gain recognition. I do not seek praise. I only strive to honor Him and tell others what He has done for me and what He can and will do for you.
So, what can you expect from this blog? The simple answer is a little bit of everything. Specific messages, scripture studies and breakdowns. Answers to readers’ questions. Possibly even a guest writer every now and then. The possibilities, because this is Holy Spirit led, are endless.
Yes, I will offer my personal takes and opinions., but everything I do here will not be of my own will, but God’s will. The Holy Spirit will lead this blog where it needs to go. My hope is simply to be a vessel for God’s word to flow through. My prayer is that something you read here will touch your heart and even more so, bring you closer to God.
Let’s get started with the first installment of the Worthless to Worthy Blog….
Relationships
Relationships are beautiful, complex, ever-changing, and limitless. That is unless we put limits on them. Think about the relationships in your life.
What about your spouse? Do you feel that relationship is limitless or is it confined to a box that you only open on special occasions?
What about your relationship with your church family, your friends, or your co-workers? How limitless, or limited, are those relationships? Are they free to expand and grow into something greater than you ever imagined or strained by your unwillingness to become vulnerable?
Vulnerability… that’s a big one for most of us. Letting someone in to the deep, dark parts of you is terrifying for many. Showing emotion, weakness, sadness or, for some, even happiness can be a taxing endeavor. Why do we shut ourselves down? Why do we block out the ones who care for us most? We hurt those that love us by not letting them help the one they love…us.
Now, think about all I have described in this paragraph and imagine I’m talking about your relationship with God. That hits a little deeper for some and barely scratches the surface for others. Today, I simply ask, where is your relationship with God? Where should our relationship be? What does that look like and feel like?
Revelation 3:20 (NIV) tells us, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
What can we take from this scripture? First, God will never “kick down the door.” I often hear Him described as a gentleman, and that’s the exact case. God will never push Himself into your life. We must choose to let Him in, to invite Him in. When we do, the possibilities are as endless as we allow them to be!
You’re probably thinking, isn’t God limitless? The simple answer is “yes,” but, as I stated, He will not barge in and take over. If you let Him into your heart, truly open yourself to Him and become vulnerable, He will never stop amazing you, forgiving you, guiding you, and loving you.
When we let God in, we have a new lease on life. We have an opportunity to leave behind our past sins and mistakes. We shed the skin of our former selves and walk in the light of His grace and mercy. We should be open and vulnerable in all relationships if we want them to grow and be healthy.
I’m not here to be a marriage counselor or relationship coach. I’m only really talking about your relationship with God. Open yourself to Him. He already knows more about you than you know about yourself. So, why are you trying to hide? He craves a deeper connection with you. He wants intimacy, honesty, compassion, and growth. I challenge you today to be vulnerable with God. Open your heart and let Him show you a love you could never imagine.
Will you pray with me?
Lord, I want to thank you for never giving up on me. When I push you away, you stretch your arms out to me. When I’m afraid to let you in, you wait patiently for me. Today, I welcome you in. Search my heart and help me to grow closer to you. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
by Grant Goodwin
