The old is all gone
When the reality of God’s love finally became clear to me, I realized how much time and effort I had wasted always saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” It was like I had lived in a decades-long constant state of apology.
Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of cause for remorse. But I lived as a friend to guilt, rather than as a child of forgiveness. I never allowed myself to experience God’s grace, so I never could find my way out of doing the things I regretted.
Jesus didn’t just die to toss absolution our way. He wanted to show us how much He loved us, and also how He can change us. His grace returns us into who we were created to be — people in God’s image who He had given imagination and talents and the ability to glorify Him and to love each another.
We don’t change and find forgiveness, Jesus forgives us and that helps bring about our transformation. His promise is to give each of us the Holy Spirit, God Himself will dwell within us. His continual presence in our life moves us toward greater trust, obedience and love.
I want God to overwhelm me with His presence, and with everything that He has done. I want His imagination to burn inside me and bring me to life. I want His grace to be like a flood that knocks me down and washes over me. I want His love to ignite my own passions and affections. Jesus, I just want you. The old is all gone.