On the way to work this morning I fell under what I think is a far too common notion in the life of a believer today....


I found myself thinking and praying and longing for an experience that would stir my spirit and propell me forward into a great trek with Christ. What came to mind was a retreat or study, reading a certain book, or giving myself away on a missions trip. These are all well and good and experiences that I think the Lord would encourage us to have, however, they are not the end all be all of our spiritual experiences.

What I mean is this; my thought process this morning was longing for intimacy with Christ and transformation of my broken, sinful self into that which is who God longs for me to be. And that in itself is a beautiful thought and I am utterly gracious that the Holy Spirit is at work in my life. But then here I go, taking that yearning and stripping it of its integrity by scheming of ways I could attain that (i.e. listening to sermons, going on a retreat, doing a missions project).

The point is that I cannot attain that, it is bestowed upon me, by the grace of God and through the work of the Holy Spirit, and as a result of obedience and faith in the good news of Christ. (I mentioned earlier when Derek Webb was telling a story of Martin Luther, and how he preached the gospel week after week, because week after week his congregation walked in looking like a people who didn't believe the gospel.)

This morning this is was I felt like; not because of what I just told you about, but just in general lately. I have become fruststrated with the person I am, and in response to that I have tried to come up with ways to change that; unfortunately my ways will only produce behavior modification at best.

But what I really need is transformation and sanctification. What I really need to is to live as one who is believes and is truly liberated by the truth of the gospel. It is there, in that utter simple truth of the cross, that I will meet Christ, there that he will stir my spirit and say "I love you, Sarah. I forgive you, no sin is too great for me to remove, my grace is more than sufficent for your life. Stand up, walk with me, and I will continue the good work I have begun in you."