When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
– Matthew 9:36-38, ESV
I recently experienced a fresh awakening in my life. God, in His timing and for His glory, awakened me anew, returned my joy, and put a lift in my step. He is drawing me to Himself in beautiful ways. He rescued me, again.
His first rescue came when, at the age of seven, I believed and placed my trust in Jesus. Raised in a Christian home, I heard about Jesus my entire life. But when I said yes to Jesus one night at Vacation Bible School, He rescued me from hell. We don’t like to think of it that way, but the Bible clearly teaches that without Christ’s redemptive work, we are bound for an eternity without peace, without God. That night I was saved and sealed for eternity as a member of God’s family!
His awakening continues in my life today.
I am experiencing a deeper understanding of my identity in Christ, and my identifying with Christ.
When we identify with Christ, we are less consumed with false sources of identity, such as appearance, reputation, and respect from others. We know our identity is in Christ because we identify with Christ. We live in a way that shows our utter reliance on Him.
Paul put it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NIV). Paul abandoned his former life of zealous rule-following and lived in Christ, unashamedly.
When we identify with Jesus, we repent. Not of our own strength or willpower, but because of God’s great kindness (Romans 2:4). He leads us like a good shepherd to places of repentance for His name’s sake. When we submit to His gentle guidance toward repentance, we experience a closeness with God. Barriers between God and us are demolished and distance lessoned. When we repent, we say to God that we agree with His ways and His will for our lives. Wow, that is the best way to live.
So, do you desire a fresh awakening? Let’s ask God to help us identify with Him. And Him alone. Ladies, our allegiance, our identity, our loyalty, our faith, our hope, our love is in Jesus Christ. Christ lives in us and works through us. When we interact with people, He’s the one they see.
And I’ll go a step further. I believe this kind of faith is essential to every Christ-follower today: for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of the people around us, and for the sake (and this is so important) of our intimacy with our loving Savior, who longs to walk and talk with us each day. This is about our relationship with Him, our faithful Friend, the Lover of our souls, the Master of our lives, the King of kings, and yes, the Lord of all.
When God awakens us, we follow His lead. That may mean starting a new Stonecroft Bible Study. He may lead you to try something new in your Women’s Connection, or start a new group. As you read through this resource, listen for how God is guiding you to communicate His love to the people right around you. Don’t be surprised if He starts first with awakening you anew!
Cheryl Lee Davis
Vice President of Women’s Connection
Women’s Connection Communique