Have you ever gotten a “spanking from the Lord?” I did today. I was cleaning my garage and opened a tub which held some of my journals (I’ve journaled for about 40 years.) My first thought was, “I should throw all of these away!” But then I decided to read one before making that decision.
I could have almost superimposed my current journal over this one. Circumstances were different (2011 was a HARD year!). But my response hadn’t changed much. Hence, the “spanking.”
God was still telling me I needed to submit. That’s a word our culture seldom uses anymore. But to submit is to yield to those in authority. You won’t submit to earthly authority if you aren’t submitting to God. And unfortunately…submission isn’t my first response.
After I read my journal from 2011, God told me, “You won’t change until you submit.” I can try to run from my problems and do things my way…or I can submit to God and change. Those are the only two choices.
Here’s the good news: God only disciplines us because He loves us and is committed to us. He wants to conform us to the image of His Son. And…He’s more concerned about our response than our circumstances.
What are the chances that I would choose to read THIS journal today?? 100%. God is committed to change—especially changing me.
I have to be honest. It’s really tempting to get rid of all of my journals. I’m afraid to read any more.
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