I remember seeking meaning and purpose in all the wrong places: work; home, sports, religion, others, etc. Maybe yours vary, maybe they don’t. Fill your pursuits in here: _____, _____, _____. There are some common characteristics, no matter how seemingly different our pursuits are. First, we have all tried to find meaning, and value, and purpose. No matter where you or I may be in our journey of life (on the back side or the front side), we have sought. And secondly, if our pursuit has come up empty and lifeless, we have not found a “holy, saving faith” that comes in authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
You see, God is in the business of heart and life transformation and it is His desire that by way of the Cross, the Holy Spirit will take up residency in us. Not just around us or by us – but in us. Down through the ages, cultures, and time periods, many men and women have experienced this and have given witness to its reality. So there are many, many experiences – as many as there are people who have experienced them – but one element remains the same: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit made it available, made it real, and were in on it through and through.
Today, I see a vivid picture of a Pre and Post Pentecost Porter :) The Pre is a desperate and ugly picture. It is crafted with a lot of self will stuff. It has the backdrop of a man (me) who pursued things of this world and who failed miserably. I know, I lived it. Thought things were supposed to always go right. Believed religion was a noble cause. Elevated my family before my God. Expected the church to be a perfect institution. But on that day, when the Spirit tugged my heart in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and I decided to respond (because I had reached the end of myself), Pentecost became so real to me. The Post is a God thing and as a result, is magnificent. Could spend hours, days, weeks going through it all. Not enough words to write and not enough songs to sing in praise to God, for what He has done. I could go on, and on, and on.
Here is what I am saying: Friend, give it on over to God :) Trust Him and ask Him to take the helm of your life. He is fully capable of taking the biggest mess and making it a masterpiece – because that is Who He is. You will still face battles. There will be trials and tribulations as long as you live and breathe. But you will have His presence. You will have His love and peace. His grace will be given to you and your life will be transformed. Even the Church, the very body of Christ in the world, will take on and have a whole new meaning, no matter what kind of experiences you have had. It’s all out of the overflow :)
Today, let us choose Him! He is trustworthy, He is tried and true!
Pastor Porter
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