Restored

The daughter of Shepherd charter members dropped off a box of memorabilia from Shepherd’s earliest days. She said on the phone, “I will leave it at the door. It’s in a shoe box marked with the brand Easy Spirit.” “That’s oddly appropriate,” I said, and we both laughed a bit. Truthfully, I like the easy Spirit with me. I prefer a gentle stroll with the Spirit over a gauntlet of fire.  Some of you are in the midst of a fiery ordeal right now. Battling a vicious disease. Navigating tough family relationships. Facing a new direction in life you hadn’t planned for. God’s Word assures us we can get through with God’s guidance. The fire may heat up our life, but it can’t consume us. Our souls are protected for eternity with our Lord. 

David said in Psalm 51, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” As we work through the Forgiving Challenge, we are again reminded of the fundamental truth that Christ died for our sins. When we confess, we are restored. We can trust, like David, that God will renew a steadfast spirit within us. Whether we are on the easy road or the fiery trail, God will not cast us away or take His Holy Spirit from us. Our God is always with us, His Son is for us, and the comforting Spirit is within us. May God continue to guide us on this holy Lenten journey to the cross, to the resurrection of our Savior, to eternal life. ~Tracy