“Whoever Jesus sets free is really free” (Jn.8:36). “Be growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet.3:18). “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.2:1).
Dear Jesus, you have told us that whatever is capturing our gaze, filling our hearts, and preoccupying our thoughts will be evident to those around us (Luke 6:45). We want that to be you, Jesus—and your matchless, endless, truly-amazing grace.
The tiniest percentage of us woke up today with a goal of making this a weekend for hurting people with our words—tearing them down rather than building them up. 97% of us really want you to seize, fill, and over-joy our hearts with your truth, goodness, and beauty. And why not? Why would we choose anything or anyone else?
You came from eternity into our world to set us free—to “spring” us from our enslavement to sin and death—from “snake oils” that will not heal, and gods that cannot save—from our navel-gazing ways and our pity-parties that are all pity and no party. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
So Jesus, with our heart-sails hoisted, our gaze set on you (Heb.12:2), and our minds set on things above (Col.3:1-4), we surrender. We surrender to your compelling love and alone-worthiness. We yield to your gentleness, kindness, peace, and joy. So Very Amen