Full of Light :)

There are hardly words to describe this past week. Maybe you can imagine what it was like by envisioning the face of my friend, Mary, as I told my story and the events unfolded one after another, interconnected. Her eyes were shining, but also on the verge of tears. She couldn't keep from smiling, and joy was definitely present (and contagious!) in this place.

God has been doing a good work in me. He transformed me deeply in the span of four days (and a fifth to process) and I am still shocked that all of this happened so quickly! But because of the support, resources and circumstances-- it was time to be free from my burden once and for all.

There were so many factors. There were three especially intuitive individuals who, without their prompting and encouragement, I may have never faced this at all. Other people played a significant role, too, with words and songs and Scriptures provided to me through them as comfort.

And now? There is a real freedom. I won't deny that. But I also savor the sensation of it while I can, because I know that part of the journey is going to be defending the Truth I've found-- fighting the temptations of the devil (as I'm sure he's panicked at least a few times this week!) and putting on the armor of God in order to resist his new schemes. I'm not afraid, though. I've experienced the Grace of God to an extent that deeply washes away shame and fear. After all, we're told not to be afraid of men, because they can only kill you-- but be afraid of the One who can destroy your soul. Puts things in perspective.

And I was right (or rather, God was right) because my taking this step to lay all of my sin on the altar has already provided opportunities to minister to others, to share my joy with them, and to challenge them (authentically, not because it's the "right thing to say") to be real with others about struggles.

God is good. As Mary pointed out last night, isn't it just absolutely incredible that the glory of God would be for our benefit? Normally when someone is glorified, it makes everyone else look small and insignificant-- but not so with God. When God is in full glory, He glorifies us with Him-- and we're allowed to be transformed and exalted before him because of it. Praise God. Praise Him.

I think I mentioned this before, but it's also amazing how --- well, I once was blind but now I see. There are so many points of theology and of scripture that I knew but never understood. That total depravity idea makes a whole lot more sense, now. Sin is more real in my life than I have ever understood, and how it is far more than an action, but much more a state of life we live in knowingly or unknowingly. Grace and God's love is also very real.

I look forward to this new season of growth. I look forward to the opportunities that God had already put into place that I didn't get excited about before. My joy has reached a new height.

In the precious name of Jesus, the author of Salvation--

BetsyJoy