Just as I am

Readings: Genesis 37: 12-28

Romans 9: 1-5

Matthew 14: 13-21

These three readings introduce us to three characters – Joseph, Peter and Paul.

Firstly, our Old Testament reading introduced us to Joseph – made famous by Andrew Lloyd – Webber.

A couple of years ago we were all subjected to a programme where a group of wanabes battled it out to play his character in the West End. Yet Joseph was not the nice "boy next door" type – in reality he was your original self centred, precocious brat. Spoilt rotten by his father, full of his own importance it is no wonder his brothers hated him. I suspect he was far worse than the Bible lets on. It records the special coat that his father made and two of his dreams which were interpreted as his father, mother and brothers bowing down to him, but they were probably the tip of the iceberg. Most likely his brothers had been subjected to years of this stuff. Of course, that does not excuse their actions but it does explain them.

Secondly, our New Testament reading centres on the writings of Paul.

Many Christians will not have a word said against Paul, and one has to admit that the Christian Church, as we know it, would not exist without him. Through Paul the Church both expanded and began to work out its theology as to the nature and mission of Christ. However, I can't help feeling that if I met him I would be more likely to give him a punch than a handshake.

I find Paul to be arrogant and boastful. Time and time again he says that he does not want to boast and then goes on about all the things he has gone through - with a sense of pride.

He writes that we are all one in Christ and that there is no Jew or Greek, male or female and then tells women to shut up in church and learn from their husbands.

He rows with Barnabas about taking Mark on a missionary journey, because he thought Mark was not up to the task and there is friction between Paul and the Church in Jerusalem.

And the thing that really gets me – in his letters he keeps on writing finally, and then goes on with another point.

Thirdly (I will not say finally) our Gospel reading is about Peter. If anyone suffered with foot and mouth disease it was Peter. He was always opening his mouth and putting his foot in it. "Put brain in gear before opening your mouth" never occurred to Peter. The Gospel reading is a classic example. The disciples are out in a storm. In the distance they see a figure walking on the water and the disciples, quite reasonably, think it is a ghost. Jesus seeks to comfort them and Peter utters "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." If you are charitable, one could say that Peter's words were a great statement of faith – if you are less charitable you may conclude that Peter has not thought this through. Even more so when he actually steps out of the boat and begins walking! But Peter was like that- one moment he could say profound things, the next it could be completely the opposite.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter figures in the Acts of the Apostles and we see the same pattern. At the house of Cornelius God shows him that there is not distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Peter defends that position at a council in Jerusalem but then Paul tells us that later on he has to tell Peter off for separating himself from Gentiles when he is eating.

There are other writings of the early Christian period that suggest that Peter party to a split between himself and James and that Peter actively discouraged the ministry of those women who had followed Jesus.

So why am I saying all this? Perhaps I have been a bit flippant at times? Perhaps I am being either uncharitable, expressing my own opinion, or both?

The reason I am doing it is to show that God uses us as we are with all our faults and failings, whether actual or perceived by others. Behind every Saint there is a story. David, who looks so benign in out of a window in our church was in reality a harsh disciplinarian. That did not stop God using him, just as it did not stop him using Joseph, Paul and Peter.

Do not think that to work for God you have to be perfect. There is no perfect Christian and no perfect Church. Billy Graham is quoted as saying, "If you find the perfect Church, don't join it as your will spoil it."

Going back to Paul- in his letter to the Philippians, after saying "finally" and going on about all the things he had done – he writes "Not that I have already obtained, or am already perfect" Paul knew he had faults. "For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want but the evil I do not want. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" – "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." It does not come much stronger than that.

All these people lived in the past, but here today we are all charged with the same mission – to reveal God to those around us. It is not just the job of the Clergy, nor of Readers or any other licensed ministry within the Church, it the job of us all. It is an urgent task and despite what we may think people are open to God.

If Jesus had waited until he had got twelve perfect disciples we would not be here today. They all had faults and one was even a terrorist! Jesus takes ordinary people and works with them.

Those who know me know I'm a pessimist. I believe that if anything can go wrong it will. But when it comes to the ministry of the church I am completely optimistic. I believe we have an important role to play in our parishes and in our towns and cities. That role needs us all to be on board. Many already are. But if you're one of the ones who is thinking that you have to change before God can use you. Think again. God wants you just as you are. To him our faults can actually be strength. Paul wrote some good stuff after his finalies – Peter was the rock on which the church was founded, and Joseph rescued the emerging Israel from extinction. Who knows – saying yes today may well change the course of history.