I still remember the guilt and worry that consumed me as a child when I found out my sister was smoking. I was about ten years old when for whatever reason she showed me the cigarettes she had in her room. She had started smoking and thought it would be fun to tell ME out of all people! And of course, she told me NOT to tell our parents. It's as if she did this just to torture me. I tossed and turned all night long wrestling with this new truth, until finally in the middle of the night I went to my parent’s room and woke up my mom. I was in tears as I told her the news. It was as if I was holding on to this tragic thing that I couldn’t hold onto any longer. The thought of this is pretty funny to me now, but at the time it was serious business! It seems I was born with a huge conscience. I used to wish I wasn’t so sensitive to things, but these days I’ve grown to love my convictions because they are a sign of growth.
When all of a sudden I'm getting a check in my Spirit after I do or say something, then I know the Lord is slowly working on me in a certain area. I want to be willing to be worked on.
Instead of ignoring the Holy Spirit when He's talking to me, I allow Him to lead.
Some of the things I’ve felt conviction for lately are things that didn't convict me before and I’m encouraged by that. The more we follow the Lord, making Him priority, the more He is able to mold us into His image. It’s such a natural progression and nothing that feels like rules, pressure, or being good to measure up.
Here’s how conviction plays out in my life.
The other day I was about to send a sarcastic text (I am naturally sarcastic. Nothing wrong with that, except for when It’s wrong :)) to a friend the other day. But, right before I pushed send, the phrase, “Blessed are the peacekeepers” popped into my mind. Then the scripture-
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14
Instantly I felt guided. I felt convicted. But not in a negative way; A loving reminder kind of way.
Before I sent that "not so peace making" text message, I put the phone down and resisted the possible text convo that usually doesn't result in bringing about peace. Let's admit, sometimes we want to send that text or make that call to a friend to vent…but if we’re honest it probably isn’t going to bring about any good and especially not peace.
Let’s seek peace. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into that perfect vessel so that we can see the Lord so clearly. Once we see and know His beauty, we can’t help but be transformed.
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