I’m a prodigal who ran far and hard away from Jesus. For years. The reasons are multi-faceted and complex. I had pent-up anger over my dad’s death. I had identity issues that ran deep and wide and colored nearly every choice I made. And the results meant mess. Lots of mess — relationally, spiritually, emotionally, physically.
Until my faithful God woke me up.
At the time I couldn’t see the irony, but, almost fresh out of college, I took a job at a group home called the “Yahweh Center.” Yahweh. The “I AM.” I had no idea that I would meet up with my Maker.
I arrived for my shift one morning before the sun rose. When I got out of my car a man was walking towards me. With a gun. He held it to my face. I told him to take my car but, with shifty eyes, he grabbed my bag and ran away. In slow-motion, I walked into the group home, quit my job, and, in a matter of weeks, moved back home to mend some bridges I had burned over the years. I moved back home to be reconciled to my God.
I remember God’s beckoning being so tender. So sweet. He awakened me from a slumber. He lit a fire in my soul for His Son. He touched me with His love and grace. And He did it by His Spirit through His Word. Dramatically. His Word became alive to me. I couldn’t get enough.
He gave me a thirst for Him. He showed me the relevance of His Word. He revealed the power of His Word to pierce the deepest places of my soul. He changed me by His Word. He opened my eyes to the beauty of Jesus often through the truth of His Word.
Life still had consequences. I still had to wade through the mess I had made over the years. But from glory to glory, He transformed and continues to transform me. Even now, sixteen years later, He still speaks and woos and pierces me through His Word.
“Every word of God proves true;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
Proverbs 30:5
I wasn’t a writer until after I came back to Him. Growing up I could barely put a paragraph together. But as I began walking in His Spirit, He revealed that He would speak through me with words. Words that proclaim and expound His Word. So by His absolute grace, I write.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, two reasons.
One, God has gifted you. Consider this your reminder. I don’t know in what ways, but I know how — through His Spirit. And I know why — to proclaim His glory. Walk boldly and confidently in the gifts He has given you.
Two, my newest study, Fruitful Affliction, releases tomorrow and I would love for you to walk through the story of Joseph with me. Because God’s Word is alive. His Word is His Truth. His Word can unveil our deepest wounds, greatest fears, and tightest chains — leading us into healing and freedom.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1, 14
If you want to learn more about the study, click here or watch my promo video by clicking here. And if you want to get it a day early (#exclusive #redcarpet), it’s PRE-RELEASING TODAY on HelloMornings.org. Click here to find out more about the awesomeness of HelloMornings and why I love everything about the ministry.
Yes, I was the prodigal. But by God’s absolute grace, I have tasted and seen that He is so so good.
Fill me, Lord…
How has God shown you the power of His Word?
I just read this before going to bed, cannot wait to answer in the morning.