Recently, the Lord begin to emphasize to me the need for holiness. At first, the thought of it didn't appeal to me. I didn't really want to face my sin and my lack of holiness. But, as the Lord began to expose and unearth my sin, I began to experience something wonderful that I had not anticipated: joy. I began to laugh more. I really began to feel lighter on the inside. I began to really want to love people; I felt genuine compassion. I began to understand why God says holiness is beautiful.
Repentance is the potting soil of Holiness. Holiness flourishes within the context of ongoing repentance. Really, they are two that become one; and like any other union, they bring forth new life.
Obedience has become of late the recurring theme of the Lord's dealings with me. One of my mentors, Major W. Ian Thomas, used to say, "For a Christian, there are no decisions to be made, only instructions to obey." Obedience gives expression to repentance and holiness: what you desperately desire, you set yourself apart to; what you set yourself apart to, you will obey.
The pursuit of holiness has also awakened in me a new desire to pray. Being with Jesus, encountering His unquenchable love for me, experiencing His mercy freely given to me, a sinner, melts my heart. As it melts, the contents - the needs, the love, the fears, the motives - pour out freely and I'm filled with the joy of forgiveness and cleansing. I'm loved, and love wants to share itself with the one loved and with others.
Holiness, repentance, obedience and prayer: all of these fuel a blue flame in my heart, a flame that many waters cannot quench, the vehement flame of the Lord - Love. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
