I always find myself amazed at the works God does in my life. I recently had to face a very difficult part of my past that is hard for me to deal with. I have fought forgiveness and it has stalled me from moving on with my own life in some capacity. After some wise guidance from some dear friends, I've turned once again to God's word for some answers. And that, of course, is where I find myself amazed.
As a young adult, I still sometimes pride myself on being a know-it-all. (Take a moment to look at the key words in that sentence that immediately prove my downfall: pride and know-it-all). While I freely accept that God is all-knowing and can make anything possible, it is like I learned that for the first time last night when I read a passage out of Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:17-21 says, "17So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
I want to hit on some key points in that passage that led to my "revelation." First, when I chose to commit my life to Christ, I was enveloped in a love that I can't possibly comprehend or understand, but it is there all the less. This love serves multiple purposes, but some are to fill voids that life leaves, give us the capacity to love others and to share that love unconditionally ourselves. When we utilize this love, it gives us that fullness (which, again, rids us of voids or disappointments because God never disappoints). Now sometimes it is easy to say someone is unlovable or doesn't deserve the time of day, much less forgiveness, mercy, etc. This is where the ability comes into play. When we say we can't love or forgive (or bear the other spiritual fruits) God can. By realizing we need God's help to do these things, we turn to him and he gives us that ability. In an odd sense, it is almost like realizing and admitting our own faults and shortcomings (as we are only human) before we can see to get past the faults and shortcomings of others.
I am sure there are a thousand messages you can take away from this passage, as it is so filled with God, but on this particular night, this is what I needed to know, so this is what God revealed. Thank God that He always knows what I need, even before I ask. And while this didn't solve my issue that I'm faced with, it has given me a great boost to getting where I need to be.
Lord, thank you SO MUCH for always giving me the guidance I need through your word and my brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in Christ. Each is a blessing I don't deserve, but I'll take them any day of the week. I know I don't always make the right choices, but I know I can always find my way back to the right path through you. Thank you, God, for giving me a second chance through your son and teaching me how to give second chances as well. Amen.
