Exactly one year ago this morning we walked into a new church. This wasn’t just any church it was the church God had led us to. God leads people to church all of the time but for us it meant packing up all of our possessions and moving 3 hours north. It meant leaving the familiarity and comfort of our life, the assurance of a paycheck, and the friends that we loved. So here we were on our first Sunday. Would it disappoint us? Would we find that it wasn’t all we hoped it would be? Would we regret the decision? These were the things in the back recesses of my mind. Things I couldn’t even voice. At the front of my mind was the excitement of the adventure that lay ahead. I remember clearly many of the songs we sang that morning. I also remember the song that brought tears to my eyes as we sang it. It was titled Across The Great Divide. We had it on a CD at home and had listened to it numerous times. Funny how having it on a screen in front of me and singing it caused me to for the first time really pay attention to the message of the song. The chorus, which we repeated quite a bit that morning, sank deep into my heart.
For the distance that you came,
To bear my guilt and take my blame,
To save me.
From heaven to a cross of pain,
Oh the distance that you came,
So I will love you without shame,
You saved me.
Right then I knew that whatever sacrifice we thought we were making paled in comparison to the sacrifice of Jesus. The three-hour distance that we had moved, was nothing compared to the distance that Jesus moved – to save me. I also knew then that we were in the right place and I never wanted to miss a Sunday if at all possible. Praise God!
So here it is a year later. It’s been quite a year. A year of struggle, and a year of rest, a year of plenty, and a year of leanness, a year of heart exposure and a year of sin realization, a year of sadness and a year of inexplicable joy, a year of making new relationships and a year of keeping old ones, a year of confusion and a year of understanding. So many lessons, so much grace from God.
What are a some specific things I’ve been learning?
• God is sovereign and faithful. Not in a generic kind of way but in a specific, intimate way. Therefore, I need not worry or have any self-pity about my situation but instead be content because God is always working out his will on my behalf.
• The gospel applies to every part of my life. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is an inexhaustible mine full of treasure. I am learning to remember and trust in this fact daily.
• I am even more sinful than I thought I was. My sin is serious and an offense to God, but I shouldn't hide it. Instead, I need to acknowledge it, repent of it, and kill it. Even when I fail at this, the gospel is good news to my soul. Christ has removed the burden of sin. He is not surprised by it, but exposes it so that I can grow to be more like him.
Last night we were at the home of some friends that we’ve made since moving. Ironically we had one of our old friends from our former town with us. Our new friend was giving advice to our old friend who is a freshman in college. His advice was to hold lightly her dreams and hopes for the future. Be involved in a local church where other people would be speaking into her life, where she could bounce off the ideas and visions that God was giving her, and to and serve in that church. But most of all he told her to treasure Christ.
By God’s grace that’s what we are doing. We are holding our future lightly, being involved in our local church, allowing other people to see who we really are and give us input, serving in areas where God has directed us. And through all of this we are learning to treasure Christ more. If God had not moved in our hearts first none of this would be happening. Today I have a greater knowledge of my sin and a greater love for my savior than I did last year because of God - tirelessly, patiently, lovingly, working in me.
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. I Timothy 1:17
Comments
Sep. 6, 2007 - Wow...
Posted by baronsgirl
Thanks for all of these great posts, my friend! I read them all today, after getting your sweet note in the mail. I often think of you and miss you! This, however, really has made me LONG to sit and talk with you, pray, cry, laugh, sing.... I hope the Lord gives us that opportunity this winter. We'll be back in the States the end of November, and may head up your way sometime - we'll keep you posted! For now...thanks so much for all of your wisdom here, and for sharing your heart. How similar we are...I kept thinking I could have written most of those faith struggles from my own life. But God has given you such faith and wisdom. You are a gifted woman, and I am blessed to call you friend! How great is His love for us, and His work on the cross and in our hearts. Love and miss you ~ Jodie
Sep. 6, 2007 - Tagged!
Posted by baronsgirl
I just got tagged, I'm passing it along. :-) You can see the ruled on my blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/baronsteam
Love you ~ Jodie