I became a Christian at the ripe old age of 15. The transformation from the person I was, to who I became, was immediate. As if I was standing in darkness one minute, in the next, I was engulfed by the peace of God which passes all understanding. (See Philippians 4:7.) A short time later the Lord began to “speak” to my heart. His voice wasn’t audible but was more of an impression deep within.
Standing at my locker before the start of school one morning, the thought that I most definitely would lead someone to Christ that day came to my mind. I remember thinking, What?! But being a new Christian and a young teen, I shrugged my shoulders and went on to class.
During fifth period—because our teacher had to change lesson plans—we were instructed to read or talk quietly among ourselves. Since it was free time I decided to pull out my brand new Living Bible. It wasn’t long before a classmate came over to ask me what I was reading. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but at the end of our conversation she asked Jesus into her heart. When I ran into her several years later she was still walking with the Lord.
God promises in John 10:4 that His sheep will know His voice. When it happened that morning in the hallway of my high school I did not realize it was the Lord. By the end of the day, I certainly understood it was Him.
Related Post: Are You Listening?
God’s word is chock full of His promises and directives. To name a few:
- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9, nkjv
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, nkjv
- “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” -Philippians 2:13, nkjv
These promises are so good! They lead to the freedom Jesus is talking about when He says, “…If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31b-32, nkjv)
The question is, do we truly lean into and trust what the Lord says?
When we ask for forgiveness, do we beat ourselves up as if we are not forgiven? Or do we walk in the promise God made?
When heartbreak or disappointment enters our lives, do we thank and praise God with the sacrifice of praise?
Do we lament our lack of faithfulness in following the Lord and then try in our own strength to do better?
Are we just hearers of the Word and really not doers? (See James 1:22.)
Why is it that we don’t freely abandon ourselves to what God says? Is it because deep down we doubt He really loves us? Isn’t that what we are saying to Him when we don’t come with childlike faith, jumping in with both feet, truly taking Him at His word?
So what are we to do?
- Humbly ask the Lord to forgive us for not fully trusting Him. And then ask Him to give us His faith and strength to fully believe.
- Ask Him to give us His praise and thankfulness—even when we find ourselves where we don’t want to be—because we trust Him.
- Commit our way to the Lord asking Him to take the reins of our faith, our hearts, and our lives because we really do want to walk as His true sons and daughters.
It’s not so much that the Lord changes us as we understand what change is;
it’s that we let Jesus—who lives in our hearts—be Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father,
So many times I miss the mark of truly trusting in You. Please forgive me for being a listener and not a doer. As John the baptist said in John 3:30, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease,” the same is true of me. Jesus, please be Lord of my life in every area of my heart.
Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus name,
Amen
In His love,
Kimberly
