Scripture Reading for today: Titus 1, 2, 3
Yesterday’s devotional spoke of my spiritual awakening; today I want to talk about what I learned as I barreled out of my cave of hibernation. I decided that if I was going to quit all the false identities I had assumed in my life (perfect student, perfect child, perfect friend, perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect whatever–all of which was false by the way), I had better look for my true identity.
As a child of God (which I was because I did believe in the one He had sent), I began an investigation into what that entailed. I learned that I was one who could speak of excellent and princely things not because I was studious and smart, but because I was royalty–the kid of the King. I realized that I could speak truth, not because I knew it, but because the Holy Spirit would lead me into it. I realized that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me, not because I was strong, but because it is God who makes us both willing and able. I learned that wrongdoing was detestable and loathsome to me, not because I felt repentant, but because God said one day I would see things more clearly. I discovered that all my words were upright and that I could live in right standing with God, not because I knew how to do this, but because God said He would do it through me. I learned my aim–previously very, very off–could be true. I had no evidence of these things–only God’s word pointing the way. This was my potential. It was going to require faith (only faith the size of a mustard seed) to live out this potential, but so be it! Next, it seemed logical to try to practice these principles in all my affairs.
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! 2 Peter 1:3
Spiritual awakenings require a lot of practice but never demand perfection. We’re going to fall down, but God will lift us up. When we notice that our performance isn’t matching our potential, we need to encourage each other and remind ourselves that this is practice. We can do this–not because we’re capable, but because God is willing and able!