Last night, my wife and I publicly re-affirmed our faith in the Lord Jesus at church as part of the membership process.
All afternoon I was nervous and obsessed about my fears that I would somehow blaspheme during my affirmation. By the time I arrived at church, I was a mess. I hardly felt attached to my body and had a feeling that "how can I do this?" I felt I should have had a strong positive feeling, but I was just out of sorts.
We had to answer, Who is Jesus? and Why this church?
After 2 years of participation and growth at this church, I had the feeling that I could answer neither question adequately.
By the time I had to answer, the Lord lifted all of the angst and revealed Himself to me and through me. I know it was Him, because I had been seeking peace all day to no avail. I believe I was filled with the Holy Spirit for this testimony. I am usually a confident speaker. I nearly cried as I told the church I was there because they had been the Body of Christ, when I could not see or feel Jesus. I was there because the Truth is taught there. The Truth that I need frequent reminders of. The Truth that my mind distorts. The Truth that in spite of me, Jesus is Lord over all, including me.
I teared up, and felt a rare peace. I also felt the enemy within was crushed. God wins. His truth wins. However lost we feel, He is there. It is amazing. I had never had a "spin cycle" stopped in its tracks until last night. Thanks be to God that He is faithful.
My friends, the Truth is closer than we think. God wins.
All afternoon I was nervous and obsessed about my fears that I would somehow blaspheme during my affirmation. By the time I arrived at church, I was a mess. I hardly felt attached to my body and had a feeling that "how can I do this?" I felt I should have had a strong positive feeling, but I was just out of sorts.
We had to answer, Who is Jesus? and Why this church?
After 2 years of participation and growth at this church, I had the feeling that I could answer neither question adequately.
By the time I had to answer, the Lord lifted all of the angst and revealed Himself to me and through me. I know it was Him, because I had been seeking peace all day to no avail. I believe I was filled with the Holy Spirit for this testimony. I am usually a confident speaker. I nearly cried as I told the church I was there because they had been the Body of Christ, when I could not see or feel Jesus. I was there because the Truth is taught there. The Truth that I need frequent reminders of. The Truth that my mind distorts. The Truth that in spite of me, Jesus is Lord over all, including me.
I teared up, and felt a rare peace. I also felt the enemy within was crushed. God wins. His truth wins. However lost we feel, He is there. It is amazing. I had never had a "spin cycle" stopped in its tracks until last night. Thanks be to God that He is faithful.
My friends, the Truth is closer than we think. God wins.