"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in or that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have new life."
Romans 6:3-5 (NIV)
Monday, May 16, 2011
With Dying, Comes Living
Did you know that Jesus has been thinking about you from the beginning of time? He is our Prince Charming who wants to awaken us from an evil spell - from deathly sleep - so that we will want for Him as well.
God demonstrates His love & tenderness not only through His creation, but also through the testimony of others. God brings others across our paths & prompts them to tell their stories. Have you ever heard a testimony that moved you so that you wanted to find out more about God? Someone who had a torrid past, but was saved by the Grace of God & now lives their live for Him. These testimonies are on of God's way of wooing us. And after He woos us, we have to make a choice. We can either accept Him or reject Him. Often, if one hesitates to accept Him, it's because of the "cost of commitment". And that cost is the death of their old life. They don't understand that dying is the key to living, that by abandoning their old life, that new life springs forward & that with surrender comes a supernatural peace & a supernatural hope.
Some people wonder, "Will I really be 'happy'?" "Happy" is not the goal. "Happy" is fleeting, like the thrill of riding a roller coaster. The goal is loving Jesus. Only then do your experience true joy. Others wonder about all the "dos & don'ts" involved in being a Christian. These "rules" are not because God is a big dictator who get a kick from manipulating us or making is miserable. He gives us "rules" because as our creator, He knows what's best for us. And as your grow & know Him more, your trust grow & you're able to see why He requires certain things of you. God always acts out of love. That doesn't mean that you won't feel a loss or that the process won't be painful. But God will be there with you each & every step of the way.
I remember this transitional part of my life. I missed the part of my life when i was going out & about almost every night. At first, when i began to feel lonely & wanted to go out, i would spend time reading my Bible, or studying a Christian lifestyle/help book, etc., & in prayer. I knew that i wasn't alone, because God was with me, but i still felt lonely sitting at home. So, i'd talk to my new best friend, God, & inevitably would feel better. And also, since i had a lot more time on my hands, i became more productive, doing counted cross-stitch & other little jobs that i never seemed to have time for before. It was also amazing, how much i learned about myself, my God, & how our relationship grew.
As bleak , dark, & hopeless things seem to be, the best news is that God has a perfect plan. Just as He brought Christ back from the dead after 3 days. He'll bring life out of mot only the death of our old lifestyle, but of our earthly life.
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