9.20.2011

A Weekend of Reconstruction

I think the Lord showed me another crack in the foundation this weekend. 

"I think," because to be honest I'm not sure yet. Sometimes I take several swings at what the Lord is trying to lob at me before there's a connection. 

(I promise the sports analogies will be kept to a minimum on this blog.)

Of course there's cracks. This tends to happen when your foundation is poured of Self rather than Savior; and when I read Paul's words about being a slave to but one master the Holy Spirit got personal, as he tends toward, and revealed exactly who my master was before Him. 

It was me. 

We're slaves to sin before Christ, and I had always read that at a safe laboratory distance. In my white coat of self-righteousness. 

Ah, yes, sin. I am so glad that I am no longer a slave to sin. How filthy. 

And two thousand years of time is closed as a story is told about a Pharisee who utters much the same words.

‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’

Now, I see. 

God is good and compassionate and full of grace. He waited until my foundation was so cracked that it ceased to hold the life built upon it. He began the process of refinement. To redeem & rebuild. 

And He is so good to accept us at the beginning of the process of redemption! Rather than waiting for us to get it right. He took me in at the beginning, and was faithful & protected me for fifteen years of still serving my Self in many areas, rather than Him. 

That is grace like no other. 

This Pharisee, by the grace of God, is trading her white coat for a white robe and two thousand years will be closed again, but this time she'll be kneeling next to the tax collector. 

‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 


And He was, and is, and will be.

1 comment:

  1. I really like the lab coat analogy. That resonates with me.

    ReplyDelete