by LaShawnda Jones
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance — an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ~ 1 Peter 1:3-4
I’ve been shedding for a while.
shed: to lose by natural process; to rid oneself of (something not wanted or needed)
Getting rid of wrong thoughts, fruitless ideas, bad habits, worldly images, unproductive hopes and letting go of destructive relationships.
My life has undergone a complete gut and renovation over the last few years. What a painful process that has been! I didn’t want it at first. Eventually, I grew to want the reconstruction, but only on my terms. After some time, I realized and accepted that my terms weren’t good enough, so I surrendered to my Master. I’m here to tell you, surrender is only the beginning! I had to purge. I had to uproot. I had to toss out and let go. Then I had to be cleansed… followed by a good sanitizing (i.e. sanctification). Only then did my Good Father start building me up again. Each of His precise instructions caused each nut, bolt, nail, peg, brick, and panel to be placed within me on the firm foundation of His Word.
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. ~ 1 Peter 2:4-5
I enter 2012 a new person. I’ve been molting for seven years (much longer if we count the years I was completely oblivious to the process 🙂 ). But God is so good! He is so wonderfully faithful! His earnestness in bringing His children into His righteousness is amazing. He is the true seeker who calls to our hearts. In the early years I struggled against Him step by step and now I am eagerly listening for His next instruction, for His whispered conversation, for His honey-sweet words that are like a kiss to my lips and a balm to my soul.
Happy New Year! Embrace your life with a fresh perspective. Greet each day with renewed hope. If you’re going through anything (difficulties, disappointments, pains and struggles) know that the God you believe in is faithful to get you to the other side. Everything we encounter in life strengthens and enables us to conquer future challenges.
Receive your blessings and keep walking!
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:24
