Today as I reflect on this Christmas celebration in possibly one of the most difficult years for the body of Christ to date, I am also thinking back into the years past, I have a wonderful, exceeding feeling of hope that true restoration, which has been on its way, is here.
I have watched this restoration arrive, like a car full of family members arriving on Christmas day. It is so exciting and full of hope when you see your family pull up in the driveway, and then as each “person” shows up at your door, there are obvious adjustments you need to make for their visit and enjoyment.
Therefore, I have concluded that there are adjustments to be made to completely receive full restoration. “Things” to be removed, adjusted. Priorities to consider, new placemats to put out such as another chair at the table for the unexpected friend of your brother. All are well worth the effort of change and accepting change, because that very unexpected guest may contain a source of knowledge or freedom you didn’t realize you needed before.
I generally listen for God to speak to me through other people in our natural conversations most all the time. Most of the time I get direct instruction from God Himself, not another person, of course. I know now however, He is most convincing when speaking to me through a quiet, soundless gift of restoration. When He whispers this way it’s louder than an auditable voice. That is typical of the way God chooses to express Himself to me now, inside the voiceless quiet. His heart’s verbal beat inside the stillness of just BEING.
Restoration does that. Intimacy does that, it clears things up to leave completeness in our lives.
One thing I would like to focus on now in my life, as I sit here in this completeness, is to surrender to my relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. All of it, because honestly, being on the fence can begin to hurt your legs. I desire to truly realize the details of our relationship. He and I, we are engaged. I am His bride. I know in this reflection today; I have not been true to Him in all areas of my life. I have cheated on Him. That is a strange way to see being unfaithful, but this cheating was with a seemingly innocent issue. Just another ‘love’ which gained my attention for a little too long.
There are moments of my life and my walk to His alter, where I stepped into an image prepared for me, or desired too much from “this” place I later found myself to wallow in. I did not keep my eyes focused on “that” place which He has promised.
My desire today is to truly represent the bride He has made me to be. I desire to be dressed in all my “Kingly” attire and carry nothing I have been “given” from family, or friends or worldly estates for this one goal, and only walk down the aisle to Him.
This decision brought another focus to mind as well.
What IF separating the wheat from the tears reference from Matthew 13: 24-30 could include the things we pick up along the way in our betrothal? Things such as ideas, new founded beliefs, concepts, traditions, clothes, jewels, the newest gadgets, righteous judgements. It could even be so normal as having the latest and greatest idea, gift and even being the latest & greatest in talent, or however it is we get to manufacturing the worship of whatever it is we worship? For some it has been worship that we have begun to worship. I don’t know about you, but I want to make it to the barn!
How exhausted I have become from of all these distractions and excursions that are thrown at me, especially the ones in the name of Christianity. Exhausting and cliché is the Christian that does not look any different than what the world can produce for the ones honestly seeking truth from the King’s Attire.
All we are asked to do is just follow the King. To sit, like minded with the Word.
IF we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and become lured into these other things, even with a Christian title attached to it, that is to me considered adultery.
Are you saying I am having an affair on Jesus? Yes, maybe no, but only each one in his own heart can decide if someone has attached themselves to something other than His Kingly attire (promised estate) or call (duty).
If when a person is thinking and lusting in their mind about another who is not our husband (or wife) is in fact considered adultery (because it is our heart condition that matters most), how could this also NOT be considered an affair, or “cheating” during our relationship with Jesus?
If we have truly given our “Hearts” to Jesus- and we live for HIM, why all the controversary? It’s simple, I wasn’t redeemed by the precious blood of Christ to be a cheater, and neither were you.
We really should only want the world’s sparkly shoes if we are only wearing the “Christian” coat. Not fully housing the Kingdom of Christ inside us. I personally would not be satisfied only wearing the persona, or coat, as I desire to BE a believable bride. To live and exist AS Being restored.
This then is my endeavor this next year. To answer all these questions for myself, about myself, and to judge myself on “how true” of a bride I have been & can BE now to my Jesus.
Restoration is now.
Adam's Eve 