VI ·XVII ·MMXIX
June 17, 2019, a “rest day” spent underneath Monday morning clouds at a local Thai beach. The day I was immersed in chilled waves, being baptized in the presence of my best gals. We ate coconut ice cream cones, covered ourselves in sand while letting the sun kiss our cheeks. As 10 giggling girls loaded into a van with our delightful drivers, we witnessed the Holy Spirit fill the car, as He prompted us to move to know our drivers. -Another story to melt over with a humble cup of espresso, soon.
||Abba, you are a way maker, a healer, a loving father, a giver, and infinitely more.||
“If the oceans roar your greatness, so will I.”
The lyrics that shakenly escaped my lips before the physical drowning of my sinful structure, marked with a symbolic declaration of being made in newness by the blood of Christ.
Romans 6. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Bursting from the waves with tear filled eyes, the echoes of celebration as heaven and earth rejoiced in the miracle that is Christ Jesus, and all that He has saved me from. Surrounded, I am surrounded by you Jesus.
To quote a precious friend who spoke truth into this moment, I was being pulled out of more than salty waves. Endlessly, I was and am being pulled out of the waves of my past, the waves of regret, the waves of shame, out of the waves of this world. He immersed me in rich water, purifying my heart through His boundless grace. He has lavished me far beyond my deserving. I am asking that you will partner with me in prayer. Relying on God has to begin anew each morning, and there are days where my heart must beat a different rhythm to recall His mercy for me in minutes. It is all together difficult to accept a love without conditions, but I know it exists. Through The Holy Trinity, God the Father, Prince of Peace, and the Spirit of Truth, He loved me when I was absolutely useless and absent minded of this kingdom.
“Pull me in closer Jesus, may I be a pure reflection of all you are.” The persistent plea of mind, soul, and spirit. I fall to my knees smiling with remembrance of Hebrews 10:19-23 and Ephesians 2:4-8. Praise be to The Father of all creation!
-Han
