Over the past few years, I have experienced a gradual change in the way I read the Bible. When I first believed in Jesus, I started to read it because I thought I should....the people I was meeting at church were doing that, so I wanted to be part of that group. Then after a while of going to church more, taking a Bible study class or two, the reading started to make more sense. It started to change from just words on the page and verses that were popular to have memorized, into a life changing personal message.
John 9:35-41 is a perfect example of what I mean. Jesus teaches about Spiritual Blindness, and how faith in Him is a growing process for believers. First, the blind man in this chapter gains physical sight (an awareness of self), then he gains spiritual sight (recognizing Jesus as a prophet). That turns into an awareness that Jesus is Lord. The more he grew in his understanding of Christ, the more the previously blind man boldly shared his story of healing. This was a great example to me, seeing how he just told the truth about what happened to him, and gave all the credit to Jesus. Sometimes I think I have to know all the answers in order to talk about having a relationship with Christ with other people...when all I need to know is how He has changed my life, and trust that He can use that in bigger ways than I ever could.
Getting to know Jesus more and more has opened my eyes to amazing relationships, opportunities, and life change that otherwise would never have happened. It has been a growing process that is ever changing, and the more I learn about God the more I have grown to trust in him. 2 Peter 3:18 confirms this by telling us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen".
Something I thought of after posting...it's also been interesting to see how my relationship with Christ is an example for my kids. Yesterday I shared the Easter story with them through a book...and Nate was so sad to see/hear that Jesus died (and Will didn't help any by explaining the nails on the cross and all the blood). But after we read about the resurrection and what that means for our sin, and eternal life - Will said "Well, we better say a big thank you to Jesus!" It's little things like that, and when Will tells me how he's praying for God to help him do better with his behavior at school...and when Nate's scared he says "God is with me!" I'm just amazed at the work God has done in my life over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteI 2nd that!
ReplyDelete