InkStainedSonnets

i had this experience around 2021, but it wasn’t until this month that i felt the Holy Spirit suddenly prompting me to make it. 

Jesus doesn’t want you to carry the guilt of your past or the pain and despair of your circumstances alone. He has taken our pain and our sin upon Himself so that we can be free through Him (Isaiah 53:5). When we ask for forgiveness, He wipes our record clean and never thinks of it again (Isaiah 44:22). By accepting the sacrifice He made in our place and putting our faith in Him, we’re adopted into His Heavenly family (John 1:12) (Romans 8:15-16)

think of that! God created you in all your talents, flaws, and unique self, and said, “This one, this is the one I love. I would die for them. And I have, so they can choose to live and love with Me forever.” His return is fast approaching, and His arms are wide open to embrace you. He’s there for the hurting, He’s there for the lonely. He’s working in ways both seen and unseen, and He is able and willing to lift the burden from your shoulders (Matthew 11:28-30).

as some of you know, i’m chronically ill, and so my bed is my most frequented spot. it can be isolating at times and tiring, not being able to go places. and it can make me feel weak mentally when i’m weak physically. but that’s far from the truth. 

the Spiritual realm is always right there. when i pray and talk to the Lord, my prayers are heard immediately and go into effect (in whatever way they’re meant to). physical strength has nothing to do with spiritual strength, and in that sense, i can still be strong and leave an impact even lying in my bed. like 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “For when I am weak, then i am strong.” 

i try to think of my bed as my soldier’s post; it’s simply my temporary station. as i lay there, i like to imagine i can see my ceiling opening up to the Heavenlies, where everyone is busy at work. 

possibly my favorite song of all time, “The Prodigal Son Suite” by Keith Green, tells the parable of the same name in Luke 15:11-32.  a man asked for his inheritance from his father before he’d even passed and then goes off to waste it all on worldly fun and fast friends. but when he runs out, he hits hard times and in his struggle, realizes his mistakes. he heads back home, hoping he will at least be allowed to work as a servant for his father. upon his arrival, his father rushes to meet him and the son confesses his sins and regrets. but the father is overjoyed to see him; he’s already forgiven him and throws a huge feast to celebrate his return to the family.

this parable is a beautiful picture of salvation and the heart of God the Father. the son didn’t deserve the celebration; he wronged his father and turned away from him. but the father still loved him and was ready and waiting to receive him back. the reconciliation only happened once the son acknowledged his mistakes and made the choice to return.

every one of us has sinned against God. and yet He still sent Jesus to die for us and pay for that sin in our place. He waits eagerly for us to repent (which means a change of mind) and turn to Him. His eternal gift of salvation is a gift of Grace, meaning it’s something we didn’t and can’t earn. like the father, Jesus waits with open arms to forgive us and receive us into His Heavenly family. and as Luke 15:7 says, “There is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God, than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” 

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty of sins.” (Romans 3:22-24)

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

WHO YOU SAY I AM!

I am chosen - 1 Thess 1:4

I am called of God - 2 Tim 1:9

I am being changed into His image - 2 Cor 3:18

I am a new creation - 2 Cor 5:17

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor 6:19

I am forgiven of all my sins - Eph 1:7

I am redeemed from the curse of the law - Gal 3:14

I am blessed - Gal 3:9

I am the head and not the tail - Deut 28:13

I am above and not beneath - Deut 28:13

I am victorious - Rev 12:11

I am set free - John 8:32

I am strong in the Lord - Eph 6:10

I am healed by His wounds - 1 Peter 2:24

I am free from condemnation - Rom 8:1

I am reconciled to God - 2 Cor 5:18

I am joint heirs with Christ - Rom 8:17

I am more than a conqueror - Rom 8:37

I am accepted in Him - Eph 1:6

I am complete in Him - Col 2:10

Look at the birds flying about! They neither plant nor harvest, nor do they gather food into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they are?