Convicted by God

To be convicted by God doesn't always look like it. Tonight, the Lord came to me in such an abrupt and unexpected manner. I have never been someone who can attest to the extraordinary stories of God's loud, booming, and tangible voice in their life, although I think it would be amazing. No, I truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit floating over me as I sat and prayed in the chapel of my university at a student-led ministry called Hosanna.

Lately, my prayers have been mediocre. They've been lax. Isn't it preposterous how we claim the title of a Christian, yet forget to fully trust God with even the little things? Isn't it ridiculous that the Bible tells us to fear the Lord, and recognize that He is mighty and great, but go and take our faith lightly? I know I'm guilty of this, and I can hear Jesus calling me back to Him and His heart.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

As the first part of Ephesians 4 was read up on the screen, I realized that the grace of God is not normal. In fact, it violates all the societal clichés and stereotypes of what our lives should look like. Grace is unmerited favor. It does not demand anything of us. It does not have expectations or standards. It is given freely, and that is an incredibly powerful concept. God's majestic wonder is even more glorified in this passage, depicting a beautiful image of the covenantal relationship that He has entered into with us, His children, as human beings. It's the most stunning love story since the beginning of time.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

Paul hits home with this last bit of the passage, acknowledging that because of Christ, we are changed forever. Because of Christ, we are no longer the same. Because of Christ, we are compelled to live differently, to love bigger than ever before, to be transformed from the inside-out. We are referred to as "infants" who lack the ability to discern right from wrong and truth from lie, and are easily caught up in the desires of the world and those separate from God, but Paul is confident that this will be left behind with our new knowledge in Jesus. Our maturity will expand, and our minds and hearts will be engorged with the desire for the Spirit, slowly but surely growing and learning even more.

I left Hosanna a little early, walking back in the brisk cold at a fast pace, thoughts overflowing and overtaking my being. I remember slowing down a bit to glance up at the night sky, the stars bright in the clear air. I couldn't help but shiver, not from the breeze, but from the true splendor of God and my awe of Him. He is unfathomable to the human mind, but He is still so knowable. With a God so loving and compassionate, so humble and gentle, how can one not bow down and worship at His feet?

You are valued. You are cherished. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. Never forget that.

Blissful blessings,
Amy :)