Renovation to Renewal

It seems this renovation of my heart and mind has been going on for quite some time now... and may it never stop until it's finished.

On the one hand, I feel as if I owe some sort of explanation for my lack of posting in several months. On the other hand, I don't really have to justify it at all. Still, I suppose it is worth noting that any inconsistency seen here could be related to the inconsistency within my own life. I had a sinking suspicion that my lack of writing as of late (not just here but in my own journals) has been due to some issue that needs to be taken care of within me.

Perhaps to some, this lack of writing for a few months (or sparsely writing for the last six months) is not really a big deal. But I have kept a journal since I was in kindergarten. So, not writing is pretty much a red flag in my book.

However, my lack of writing could be attributed to the fact that I have been swamped with school work this past year... in which I have written well over 75,000 words. To put that another way, if I took all the assignments I've written for my classes, I could make a 300 page book. An appreciable accomplishment, I think. Of course, the semester isn't over yet... so I might add a few dozen pages yet to that book.

Gracious, with that in mind, I don't really feel bad at all for not writing here. In fact, you still might not hear from me consistently... it all depends really. I could probably get rid of a few things that tend to take up my time. Trash my phone... But, of course, I need to be realistic. Or maybe I don't?

God is currently teaching me that it's not just about prioritizing Him. It's not a list with Jesus at the top as Number One. No, as a friend put it, He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is not just number one, He is the Only One. My entire heart and life devoted completely and wholly to Him... out of which the rest of my life flows.

Whatever that looks like...

It is Finished!

In the heat of early morning on a hill
They call The Skull
The roaring of the angry mob
Had settled to a lull

All eyes were cast upon the man
Whose hands and feet were bound
They saw Him cry in anguish
When they heard the hammer pound

They saw the bloody woven thorns with
Which His head was crowned
They watched the bloody cross of wood
Be dropped into the ground

The soldiers gambled for His clothes
They watched them win and lose
They saw the sign above His head
That said "King of the Jews"

They searched His face for anger
For vengeance in His stare
Instead of eyes that burned with hate
A look of love was there

He prayed for their forgiveness
And bowed His battered head
And no one knew the meaning
Of the final words He said

It is finished
And the sky grew black as the night
It is finished
And the people scattered in fright

The work had been done
Redemption had been won
The war was over without a fight
It is finished

The provision has been made
The foundation has been laid
He paid the ransom due
And tore the temple veil in two
And opened up the way
For me and you

It is finished!

-=-

---> [John 19-20] <---
"...These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

(lyrics by Petra, "It is Finished")