The Journey to Easter

Note from Belinda

On this, the second day of Holy Week, I am reflecting on the cost of my salvation and the goodness of God in making it possible.

 So often when Paul and I pray in the morning, I thank God that he made himself known to me; expressing gratitude over and over again that he pervades my life such that I cannot imagine living without the knowledge of him. He has transformed and healed so many broken corners of my soul, and still continues to soften and gentle me into his image more truly than I reflect it at this moment.

 This morning I read a post written by my dear friend Dave Hingsburger: Loud Speakers versus Quiet Words. I wonder why anyone thinks that they can shout people into the Kingdom of God with words that sound like threats. I know that would have repulsed me. 

 Jesus did get angry and use loud words occasionally, but only with the "religious" and the hypocrites. Mostly he was exceedingly gentle, although he never diluted hard truth.

 I once wrote a poem once about my journey to God and here it is:
The Journey

Not for me the blinding light
Of a Damascus road,
But then, I was no Saul, no persecutor of Christians
hater of Christ

I walked in two worlds, finding both exciting, beckoning,
as I stood on the threshold of my life

For me, the Spirit’s gentle wooing,
How wise, how wonderful, God’s many ways, of reaching us,
His wayward ones

More and more, I became His, until I saw the world, through strangely different eyes.
Things that once beckoned, now had lost their charm,
As He so gently guided me
away from harm

Comments

Dave Hingsburger said…
Thanks for linking to my blog today, I loved the idea of 'wooing' ...
4:32 PM
Belinda said…
That's what he does, Dave; he woos us so tenderly. He is the lover; we the beloved.
7:46 PM
Anonymous said…
I too was saddened in reading Dave's blog. "They will know we are Christians by our love". Honestly. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict - not ours!!

I join you in the eternal thanksgiving of being redeemed. I marvel that God saw anything in me that He wanted. Yet He reached down to me at the age of 12 and brought me into His family through the blood of Christ. It is a miracle - and, like you, I cannot imagine a day without Him.

I often wonder how people survive without Christ. I find life hard enough, but I never face it alone. I often say to my friends that if I had to wake up in this world without my Redeemer - I wouldn't want to get out of bed.

I pray that more will be touched as you - and less be offended by loud "rude" voices.
3:15 AM
Marilyn Yocum said…
The Spirit's gentle wooing….beautiful description, Belinda. I feel it yet today as I continue on as a work-in-progress.
6:46 AM
Belinda said…
Amen Anon. I share in your rejoicing and gratitude!
8:44 PM
Belinda said…
Marilyn, going through my papers from previous Write! Canada, I found notes from your class, along with the quotes I wrote down that spoke into my life then and continue to. I'm so thankful that God brought you to Canada and that not once but twice, I took your beginners class. That seems to be a metaphor for our walk with the Lord, doesn't it? :)
8:47 PM
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