You are not too far gone.
Have you ever felt righteous in your anger? Justified in your actions? Completely convinced that you were right? And then out of no where, a gnawing in the back of your mind - an inkling in your subconscious - what if I’m wrong? What if I’m at fault?
It is a very real possibility, that inaudible whisper, is God nudging you and me in the right direction. Like when a loving father, reaches his hands out to hold his child by the shoulders, and gives a kind correction.
“Colonel Hallounn was a leader in the army of a ruling dictator of a rogue, sanctioned nation. He had orders to commit systematic genocide of a minority people group. He would shoot minorities with a machine gun. Sometimes they would fight back. There’s still shrapnel in his body from these fights. One night the colonel had a dream. Jesus appeared to him and told him to stop killing and to “Follow Me.” Alarmed by the dream, he sought out a Christian and started following Jesus. He discovered the great truth of the gospel - that God would forgive even him, even after he murdered crowds of people simply because of their race.”
Was the colonel wrong? I mean, After all, he was only doing his job. He was only doing what he was ordered to do.
Do you remember the story of Jesus in the fiery furnace - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? It wasn’t just the norm to bow to the king, it was an order to bow to the king. But you know how the story goes. They didn’t.
Do you know what the word “prostrate” means? It means to stretch out with face on the ground in adoration, in submission, and humility. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were so full of faith and belief in God, the only one worthy of prostrating ourselves before, that they would not bow. It didn’t matter that it was the norm - they knew it to be wrong. It didn’t matter that it was a command - they knew it to be wrong. And they acted on that faith. And God used their actions to display his power and glory. And in so doing, draw more people to himself. God used their faith for good. Because that is what he does. He takes the evil intentions of the enemy and turns it for good. Today, Colonel Hallounn helps to feed thousands of refugee children everyday. He is a force for good in God’s kingdom.
I want you to hear this. God wants to take the broken tattered pieces of your past and weave together a bright and beautiful present so that you may help create a better, more beautiful, future.
The stains that cover you, the mistakes that you keep tripping over, are no more. They are gone. In Christ, you are a new creation. Destined to affect the world for good. That nudge you feel... that gentle kind correction. Listen.
Whatever you are facing, God can and will turn it... you... around.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you got value, if this put you in a better mindset, it would mean a lot to me if you left a review and shared it with someone you love. Remember friend, you have a gift, and it is your responsibility and your opportunity to share it with the world. So go out, and do it.
