It was almost 24 years ago that I made the decision to give my life and my will over to Jesus Christ.
At the time, I really had no idea what it meant, but what I did know was that I was not doing a good job of living my life running it all on my own. I knew I needed help and I had (already by 27) looked for a lot of different people and ways of obtaining that help, none of whom or which had worked. I was still a mess.
On the outside, things didn't look too messy. I was married to a great guy and had just given birth to our second, beautiful, and perfect son. We had family that we loved, friends to hang out with, a home, two cars, and one good job.
As a new follower of Christ, when I heard things like, "crucified with Christ", "died with Christ", and the like, I was so confused. For many years I pretended to understand what it meant. And in some ways, I got it - sort of.
But this past summer, I REALLY got it.
And it is amazing.
That person...the one who was a mess, she really died when I decided to give my life to God. My life is the life of Christ; Him living through me.
Now, I can still choose to act the same way that messy girl acted, to think the way the messy girl though, and to believe the way the messy girl believed. But, that is totally up to me. The power of that messy thinking is gone and I have the power of the Holy Spirit, if I choose to let Him lead me.
It sounds so simple. And so weird. But I am so glad that I got it!
A couple of weeks ago, I heard someone say, "My mess became my message." I totally understood!
Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. Romans 6:8
At the time, I really had no idea what it meant, but what I did know was that I was not doing a good job of living my life running it all on my own. I knew I needed help and I had (already by 27) looked for a lot of different people and ways of obtaining that help, none of whom or which had worked. I was still a mess.
On the outside, things didn't look too messy. I was married to a great guy and had just given birth to our second, beautiful, and perfect son. We had family that we loved, friends to hang out with, a home, two cars, and one good job.
As a new follower of Christ, when I heard things like, "crucified with Christ", "died with Christ", and the like, I was so confused. For many years I pretended to understand what it meant. And in some ways, I got it - sort of.
But this past summer, I REALLY got it.
And it is amazing.
That person...the one who was a mess, she really died when I decided to give my life to God. My life is the life of Christ; Him living through me.
Now, I can still choose to act the same way that messy girl acted, to think the way the messy girl though, and to believe the way the messy girl believed. But, that is totally up to me. The power of that messy thinking is gone and I have the power of the Holy Spirit, if I choose to let Him lead me.
It sounds so simple. And so weird. But I am so glad that I got it!
A couple of weeks ago, I heard someone say, "My mess became my message." I totally understood!
Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. Romans 6:8
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