Our Precious JESUS
Still Brewing
☕ Justified in CHRIST and continually being sanctified - we are still brewing! ☕
Happy Thursday, friends! After finishing a book, I was meditating upon this topic and wanted to write a little blog for accountability on this important, beautiful truth.
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26
This is not the first time I’ve closed a non-Christian book and felt a heavy weight. My family knows I read some sad stuff LOL! Though I am conflicted that these books (as well as anime & manga) keep coming to haunt me, one thing I am so grateful for is they always have my heart pulling me in the direction of CHRIST. I could show you multiple stories offhand that I don't remember the plot of that much or the details, but I do remember the way the LORD used them to shape me.
The themes of this most recent book held many sins (that this world says are good things) that left me frustrated, but this is not the main reason for my heavy demeanor. The biggest problems in these books for me are seeing the real agonies and pains of this life and knowing these characters, who represent millions and millions of people, have no hope. The temporary happiness found at the end of the story—or not found—will soon vanish.
Reading about the depression, self-hate, suicide, death, broken relationships, all the hurt, and knowing there is no ending of them turning to JESUS just makes my heart ache so much. I close the book and get overwhelmed by how precious JESUS is. What a gift I have that I can so easily normalize.
I could not imagine living in this broken world without JESUS as my anchor. I only have this gift because of JESUS and HIS blood and righteousness. I am the exact same as every character (who represents real-life people). I am just as wicked in my sin, and I live in the same world. Yet, I am here, free in CHRIST, having my life be kept in HIM.
I am so thankful for something like these types of books to remind me of my overwhelming blessing of CHRIST and to allow me to sit and meditate on HIM. Here are just a few verses for meditation on our beautiful and precious JESUS.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
LORD willing, see you all for our next cup of coffee together!
Sabina, very insightful post! You get your spirit grieved by books, I get my spirit grieved by YouTube videos. As you read many Christian books, I watch a lot of Christian content. But the secular stuff (books, videos), while depressing, can cause us to, appreciate what we have in Christ. As a geezer, I think almost every day about how much I want the Lord in my life now, and soon, to be in His Kingdom. "there is nothing on earth I desire besides You." I think, while there may be some value in the "depressing stuff", we both need to ponder what we allow into our mind/spirit. Much Love, Mr David
ReplyDeleteYes!! 💗 So, so true. ‼️Reminds me of:
Delete“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8 ESV
It’s definitely important on the quantity of worldly things and what we fill our minds with. Our quantity should be higher on the quality meat of HIS Word and truth, and not the fast food chicken nuggets. ‼️ Thank you for sharing (and for your constant support and encouragement)!! 💗