“So there was this girl…”
Random thoughts that I just spew out. Write ‘em down so I don’t forget how feel or once felt.
Lately I have been extremely blessed to have witnessed countless testimonies from my fellow brothers in Christ. It has truly been incredible to see how God has been working in their lives, their decisions to walk in obedience, and the overflowing joy they have obtained from the fruit of the spirit. Some of them come from the most doleful of backgrounds. Others have a history battling with sexual immorality. A handful have faced abuse. Almost all have been crippled by spiritual apathy. Then, unfortunately, there are those who have experienced it all. However, in each and every one of these testimonies God has been faithful and loving enough to pull them out of the storm through His infinite love and grace.
There’s just this one common theme I have noticed recently, though.
Nearly every testimony I have heard from a man has included the phrase, “So there was this girl…” somewhere in there. It’s funny because my testimony is the same way. I think that sometimes we forget that at the core we are not only an imperfect people but relational beings. I am not saying that every person’s testimony inevitably includes some sort of love story, but hearing these testimonies really got me thinking — thinking of relationships in general. Relationships are at the core of our being. We strive for relationships no matter who we are. After all, that is how God created us, like how Eve was created soon after Adam to be with him. Unfortunately for us, relationships are not guaranteed to succeed - whether it be a girlfriend, a roommate, a friend, or even parents. In the midst of failed relationships one thing is evident: God never fails us. When we place our identity in being a good boyfriend or being a great friend failure is inevitable. What never fails is Christ’s love for us, and what will always remain certain is His sacrifice. When our identity is found in Christ we come to realize that we are imperfect, and that we are saved by God’s grace to do a good work through Him and for His kingdom. Finding your identity in anything else is setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. A soul anchored by Christ gives birth to perpetual joy. It is God’s will for us to be joyful and to build a relationship with Him.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
I think it’s so important to be able to trust in God’s sovereignty, and to pray for God to continually transform the heart into the likeness of His son. “Ask and you shall receive.” Why not ask for sanctification? Joy? Forgiveness? Grace? Love? Patience? When our hearts are continually being sanctified they are slowly being aligned with God’s heart. When our hearts are aligned so is the rest of our soul.
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 23–24.
