What a Wonderful Savior

This morning I turned in a paper that had been a source of significant stress in my life (hey did you like that alliteration?) for quite some time. It was about Jesus and women. Actually, I really enjoyed the research and the topic- it was just hard to be diligent about writing it. Last night at 10pm I had written two significant paragraphs of 8 pages, and my mind was far from wanting to write. Though I had spent most of the day trying to write, I could not concentrate for the life of me. It was maybe one of the most frustrating things ever... So I prayed for grace, and I stubbornly didn't want to because I feel like I'm constantly praying for grace. Yet, that's all I could do. Sooo about 10pm Jackie and I sat down and prayed for a good long time until the peace of Christ washed over me and I was able to write. Interestingly enough, the writing process was also a time of healing and revelation of God's radical love. Because my paper topic was focused on the redeeming power of Jesus in the life of women (no it wasn't a feminist paper as some would call it, but it was filled with truth), I started to assess the healing of Jesus in my life... physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. The women that Jesus interacted with were at the bottom. No doubt they were at a point of desperation when Jesus encountered them (at least in the healings). And through God's redemptive love and grace, Jesus called them "daughter" and healed them. He healed them completely.

I remember reading Mark 5:21-43 this past summer, and I remember that at the time, I was physically broken (and about to be emotionally and spiritually broken as well)... the fact that Jesus healed completely, though they were considered ritually unclean was huge. I prayed for healing then. It's still a process though. I forget sometimes how powerful Jesus is.... and yet I don't doubt His power as much as I doubt His willingness to bestow grace and love and encouragement in my life... I doubt His willingness to heal me. Interestingly enough it is faith that brings healing. Jesus constantly says, "Your faith has healed you." Praise God that He is refining my faith and allowing me to know and understand His willingness to not only provide, but to provide joy and passion and abundance of life. As my dad wisely pointed out to me, "Annie God is not out to get you. He's not going to get His big thumb and squash you... He loves you and is eager to provide what you desire and need" (it was something to that effect, sorry dad if I got it wrong).

In the sanctification process, God tunes our will towards His. Abide in me and I will abide in you. I'm abiding. No other choice really, and I would have it no other way.
The message so clearly outlined in the actions of Jesus in the Gospels is a message of love and liberation. It abounds in healing and redemption and grace.... what a marvelous Savior we worship, and what a wonderful God who would desire that we would be restored rightly to Him. He pursues me, and for that I am grateful.