WHAT IT
MEANS TO DIE
Perhaps the most loathsome word in the Scriptures to the flesh-born is repent. It means, in essence, death. Repentance means coming to an agreement with the Creator of the Universe that the things which we have been doing all of our lives have all been for naught. It means, You, oh Lord, are right and I am wrong. If you stare the word in the face it should do more than give you pause. It should shake you to the core. Not one good thing you have done up to the point of repentance has done you any good without it. Repentance, as I was always taught, means a turning away from something or a changing of direction. But, as I grew and walked through that Fire myself, I have come to understand that repentance means dying to what comes most naturally to me. While there are many guilty pleasures that deliver to me immediate gratification in any given hour, none of those offer the satisfaction that harboring a grudge can. That is why forgiveness is among the most difficult endeavors one can ever take up. Visit the REDUX page to explore the depths of what repentance really means and what it offers us.
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
- MATTHEW 18:27
DEEP WITHIN THE HEART of every person is this nagging sensation that something is not right. Whether it manifests itself in the form of an unmet ambition, an unrequited love or an unfulfilled dream it festers in the depths of our souls. This perpetual pestering has given birth to sleepless nights, severed relationships and has even resulted in chronic health problems. The problem we face when we finally face ourselves alone in our dark rooms is guilt. Only One Fire can burn it to ashes and only One Breath can blow the embers from our memories. And from His.
This Fire, however, is elusive; virtually invisible. You do not find Him. He finds you; and once He finds you things will become increasingly uncomfortable in your subconscious striving for inner Shalom (peace). There is, however, one way you
can experience this peace the way it was meant to be felt and held and carried to
those around you. You simply must fall prostrate. Unconditional surrender is the only way out of the advancing walls that relentlessly press in on your hopes and dreams. I know, it goes against every human instinct. I understand, it feels like
you are dying.
But I have come to believe that this passing-through the fire is the only path to genuine life. Unsurpassed peace, unfettered liberty and unconditional love are only experienced within the warm glow of the light of forgiveness. The mercy that is first received and then offered to others is the key that unlocks the door you have tirelessly pressed against since your journey began. This key is only offered to the prostrate subjects of a King who has been patiently looking for askers, seekers
and knockers since time immemorial.
