Spirit lead me
I know this valley. I come here often. It is a place of shadow and twilight. I know the terrain of this familiar sloping decent and the sounds of it's travelers. Though No one on this journey speaks, we are not alone. Uncertain, uncomfortable travelers distract themselves with whatever can occupy the whispering fear in their minds. Yet, few turn back. The drudgery displayed is ironic because we are all oddly dressed for a grand affair. We have donned our finery and examined our facade and we are settled by what we've seen. There is an uneasy restlessness to our conformity, but it comforts the faint of heart. So, we follow along with the crowd as our eyes adjust to the increasing twilight. Ever hopeful that there is more to the vision cast around us than meets the eye, we explore further still. And it feels like adventure until the reality of it all settles in and we realize we have lost our way from the path we entered on. Despair often comes as our companion. Or maybe distraction or high acclaim. But, in the end those are needy companions. AlwAys taking more than we have to give. So we remain. Drained and feeling alone. We are lost. But, wait. There is hope. In recent years I and many others have been awakened, We are fully aware, as we march head long into this familiar valley. Entreating many to turn back the way They came. Because this is the valley of the shadow of death....We know that now, but once upon a time I knew this valley by different names. Perhaps you have heard of it as well. Some call it the "cultural norm." Others, the "way things are." Some have called it by the way they feel when they have spent some time there, "forever alone," or "invisible." But now I and others are drawn here for a different purpose. Constantly drawn. I come here now because I know how to get out. And every so often I find someone else with the longing to escape. Someone who has not buried the deep pining for more than what they see. This is a rescue mission now. And my mission is one of great import. It is you, friend, if you can hear me. Maybe it's your son or daughter, maybe your loved one or your family. And seeing you here like this I see myself. I am reminded as I look into the dimness and walk along with you. I am met by stench of my own failures. I see the warped caricature of my own reflection and it stabs my heart to recall my past. But, I won't shrink away. I can't. I was once just like them. Lost and alone. I can see my own failures so clearly on display that I often stumble to a stop and wonder how I ever wrenched myself free and if I can truly help anyone else be free. The question haunts me as the cries of their heart mingle with mine. But, I repeat the resounding, merciful truth..... I didn't rescue myself. Friend, There. are. Others. Others, like us, who have found freedom from this reeking valley. They Followed the whispered call to escape and found the Way. And one by one they return here, like me, to extend the invitation to anyone with ears to hear...."you can be free, come with me." But, don't paint a hero's picture of us. To be honest, not a single one of us has the key to freedom in our own hand. That is another one of the valley's traps if I mislead you to believe thAt the role I play is by my own accord. But, if you lean in closely I will let you know my secret, the secret of all of the ages.....the God-man, Jesus, is willing and able to set people, like us, free. And His power to free has no bounds. His mercy and grace see no favor. His power and redemptive hopes know no end until all are free from this valley. It is truly the miracle of the ages of time. Amen and amen. So we have marched back into this valley. Equipped by the hand of our Mighty Warrior who once put aside His majesty to humble Himself and enter the valley with one single purpose....to begin the process of rescue. You see, people had stopped listening out for the Voice of their Creator that calls even today from beyond the edges of the shadow. Too distrActed by the din of suffering moans those of old ran deeper into the shadows to hide. So, He sent His Son to them. Into the fear and loneliness, into the pain and selfishness. Jesus came. And He began the most beautiful revolution that day. And ever since then, those of us who have found His outstretched hand of freedom have taken up His cry. Freedom! Freedom! Freedom for the captives and captors. Freedom for the lost and forsaken. Freedom for the least and the greatest among men. Sweet freedom for all who would hear and respond. Look around you, friend, would you like to be free? Join me on the road that leads away from here. It is a small trail you could have easily missed on your own without the Light to guide you. The narrow road away from here is called by the name of the Romans, but open to all who would seek it. Come on, I'll show you the way. If you hear the call of Christ and desire the freedoms offered by Salvation you can find what you need to begin your journey in the Holy Bible. Before you read the verses, in the best way you know how, pray and ask God's Spirit to help guide you to understand what you are about to read.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We have all made the choice to follow our own way. Despising the leadership God provides we follow our own desires and that is missing the perfection of God. Missing that perfect mark is called sin and we have all done it. Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death. But, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We each deserve to be in this valley of death. We came here on our own. But, the gift of our loving God is Christ. Sent to rescue and redeem the son's and daughter's of men through His life, death. And resurrection (see John 3:16) Romans 5:8 "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" Because of the abounding love of our Creator, He did not wait for us to perfect ourselves and come out of the valley. We cannot do it ourselves. So Even while we were still in our sin, still in the valley, He sent Christ into the valley of death to suffer what we suffer and die our deserved death to rescue us. Romans 10:9 "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." The path out of sin and into the redemption of Christ will require faith. The belief in what you have not yet seen with your own eyes, but sense with all else. That Jesus alone has the power to save you. That His life, death, and resurrection alone can rescue you from this valley and from yourself. If you believe that truth today then, through prayer, tell Him. Commit to follow Him. Begin to learn more about Him in a local church who teaches the Bible and loves Jesus as Lord. Tell others about your choice. Join us in this revolution. Amen
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2018
Categories
All
|
Photo used under Creative Commons from vxla