Encouragement

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John 1:3 (NIV) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I am in a season of reconstruction. My invisible boundaries are now lined with barricades and construction tape. It’s a sensitive project, restoring my soul that is. It’s a paramount and essential task in which I can rejoice in God!
I prayed to Him to help me see the wrongs in my life, to make the changes where I need, and to guide me to where I need to go. God answered me by taking sandpaper to my soul, stripping me of all excess, making me aware of my complete dependency on Him. I was always a believer, but life and the world got in between God and I. My husband and I were blessed with a prosperous life, but lost sight of Jesus because I was looking to the things of this world to fill a spot that was created only for Him.
I am cognizant of my past failure to keep Him in the center of my life, and now His Word gives me life, a new life and fulfillment that only Christ can give.

When undertaking a restoration project, the old must be stripped away. The old way of thinking, the old self-centeredness, the old negativity, the old stubborn attitude; all must be sanded down. And I can testify that the feel of sandpaper is rough against the ways I must shed, still. But the hope in my soul is more alive and vibrant than ever! I feel the lightness of losing the excess. In my bareness, I see a new path, a new life; and I can embrace the comfort and protection of my God who is working earnestly to restore me. I can see that it starts and ends with HIM, and all things added to my life should be glorified in Him.

I used to thank God here and there. I truly felt that I had a thankful spirit. I knew that I had blessings in my life and I thought I was grateful. But now with the bareness and brokenness I carry, I can touch the true meaning of thanks. My spirit is engulfed in gratitude to Christ, for saving me from myself. And through reading His Word, I understand the need for a strong foundation. Therefore, the restoration project commenced in me, seeking to start with Christ.

I am more humble now for there is no excess to feed my pride. And while I am “under construction” and the new, strong, building blocks are put in place through God’s Word, faith, and Christian support; there are still little cracks that reveal themselves, requiring more sanding- a daily renewal of my mind to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

It’s quite a humbling experience to lose a position where you once had so much in “worldly terms”. My husband and I found ourselves in a whirlwind of job loss, and the economic crisis that many are facing today. To go from having all the excess to having barely the necessities, was jarring to our marriage, our family, my spirit, soul and flesh. We were the ones who loved to give when we had money, but to be on the other side caused a great shame from within. God revealed the pride I had in my heart that caused me great shame and humility had to replace the ugliness of my self-consumed pride. I had loved ones giving to me out of pure love without expecting to be repaid, and this drove me crazy. I wanted to pay them back. I wanted that control. The sense of losing control as the “giver” just splintered my soul.

God spoke to my heart about these issues that needed to be restored, such as pride. He illuminated the many cracks I had in my heart and continues to do so. I am so thankful and humbled to serve a God who is beyond all greatness. He is a God of restoration, for sure!
I have learned to accept loving gifts, now. And I pray to be a blessing in return to everyone. God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins. A sacrifice that is impossible to repay. What a glorious gift like no other, our Father has given us! I would not be “under construction”, building a new and solid life “in Christ” if I reluctantly received Jesus in my heart.

Thank You, God for sacrificing your beautiful Son, Jesus, for the sake of our souls. I graciously accept this gift as I am now forever a child of God! I thank You for showing me the Way, the Truth, and Light. I look to see You in all things, and pray to grow closer to You each and every day! Amen.

Written by: Jamie Campbell
Freelance Writer

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