Let The Redeemed of the Lord Say So
It has been amazing walking in true grace for the first time in my life. Interrupting old cycles that are harmful and futile. So normally when something happens, for instance, say I get aggravated with someone who is being very lazy. The Holy Spirit reminds me that I have a choice: 1. I could see my actions as uncaring and unreasonable and get down on myself and gloss over it, or, 2. I could ask myself, “hm, I notice this is a pattern with me, Lord, what is going on here??”. I can then allow the Lord to work and sift through my heart. I picture the latter as me lying on the surgeon’s table with my arms totally relaxed down away from my sides and allowing Jesus to cut and probe. My tendency is to slap his hand the moment I see the blade approaching. But Glory to God that He is calling me out of ultimate fear!!
Annnd by His grace I have been able to practice this with almost everything that comes my way, and I tell you I am seeing through different eyes. To me, this is part of what Paul talks about in Ephesians when he refers to “to put off your old self…to be made new in the attitude of your minds”(Eph4:23). So instead of copping out and just asking Jesus to make it all better, I realize that I have to show Him that I am serious about taking up this cross. The word that has been on my heart is “courage”.
Courage.
Jesus, I ask that you would make the dark places in our hearts visible with your light. Our hearts belong to You, so we ask you to come and claim what it Yours. I ask that You would give us strength and be our guide. You say to those of us who have fallen asleep in you, “wake up, o sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Search us, Lord, and know our hearts. See if there is any offensive way in us and lead us in the way everlasting. I love you. In Your blood we come, Amen.