Even when the rain falls,
Even when the flood starts rising,
Even when the storm comes,
I am washed by the water!
(by Need to Breathe, "Washed by the Water")
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Over the last several months I have become even more aware of the power of sin. We all have experienced it: I have for sure. But, the sin that has wrung my heart over and over these last couple of months was not mine. Satan had his way with one of my most favorite people in the world.
I continue to re-learn over and over again that no one is beyond mistakes; no one is above the reach of the lures of hell. No one but Christ Himself. However, we as humans sometimes put someone up on a pedestal because they shine the light of God's love so clearly and so powerfully. We think they won't be tricked. Yet these are the precious souls that walk the earth whom Satan will relentlessly pursue at their most fragile and weary times.
As we all face our mistakes and choices we have made, there must be a time of reconciliation -- reconciliation with family and friends, but most importantly reconciliation with God. Reconciliation with God allows all the other reconciliations to take place with authenticity and humility.
I witnessed a baptism this weekend that was amazingly full of the Spirit. The Spirit was thick during worship before the baptism, through the prayers, and certainly during the baptism of a new sister in Christ. As I was watching and singing and rejoicing, tears fell. I couldn't help but think about the young woman who was lifted from the waters of baptism clean and pure, and then think of the person who had been drawn in by the darkness. They both were covered by the faithful grace of the Father. Both redeemed souls.
When I was 13 years old, I chose Christ as my Savior and chose to follow Him. My dad baptized me in our swimming pool. I can remember the feeling as he lifted me from the water. I was a new creation and I thought that I would never leave nor forsake Jesus.
I was wrong. I was very wrong. But, God knew that and adopted me into His family anyway. He was faithful through my thick and thin. He was always waiting for me to return, whispering His love into my heart at every turn.
The last couple of months were a heart-wrenching reminder of just how much sin can affect so much. The tears at the baptism this weekend were not sad tears, they weren't tears of rejoicing ... they were tears of humility and of gratitude. I had eyes to see the darkness of sin and the washing of the Living Water that continually covers our sin -- that transforms us, that walks with us through the journey of our life.
We have hearts for God, but we are not perfect. We make mistakes. We break our own hearts and those around us. Yet we are given new mercies every morning. We are given grace at every turn:
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate
(Luke 15:20-24 TNIV).
I look forward to the day when Christ calls me home and I can do nothing but fall and kiss His feet for sacrificing Himself for my sin and the sin of those I love. His Light will guide us Home.
More of ###'s work can be found on her blog, In the Grip of Grace or her ### Photography Blog.
### is part of The Coffee Group, a varied group of women who express their love, faith, and praise for God with ladies they love. They do ladies' retreats and special speaking on God's work in their lives, as well as the importance of sharing your faith story.
Check out their website:
http://www.thecoffeegroup.net
Come visit them on their blog:
http://www.espressohislove.blogspot.com
The Coffee Group is part of the Heartlight.org Network© ### and The Coffee Group
### is part of The Coffee Group. For many years ### walked away from the Lord and through His love and grace she has come home to His loving hands. ###'s son ### was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April of 2005. Her life shows how to hold onto the Lord and live through His grace in hard times.
Website: ###'s Blog
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