Wiped Clean

Laying here just now, thinking and talking to God I was contemplating life and what it means to know God and what that means to life.  How that is life.  I was thinking how magnificent God is to offer us His Son to die on a cross so we can live.  How His blood washed our sins away and made us white as snow; made us new.  I was also thinking of how hard life still is.  Jesus wiped us clean, yes.  But that cleanness leaves us vulnerable and raw.

Recently when talking to a friend, she said it is like opening a wound.  We need to let out all the sin and junk in our lives by scraping back the layers.  That is never easy.  But don't you see that is right where Christ wants us? Vulnerable. Exposed. Surrendered. He wants us there so He can have our full attention and with gentleness He can stitch up our wounds. And with each stitch is another lesson learned.

Like it says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged"  Even in the midst of hurt, God is there.  Especially in the hurt, because most likely where hurt is God is, to orchestrate an eye opening period of growth. If you let Him, He will heal you.  You may be left with a scar, but that is okay because scars help tell great stories.  And each let down, disappointment, and hurtful situation that leaves a scar, God uses to tell part of our story.  The story He has drawn out for us to inspire and encourage others and to glorify Him.

"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace -- as in all the congregations of the Lord's people"

 - 1 Corinthians 14:33