M-A-P

Today in "a call to die" (I just noticed the title is in all lower case) he uses the acronym MAP when referring to the work of Holy Spirit in us. I love this. He says "The Spirit's work is a mystery, our walk then becomes an adventure, and seeing him at work deepens our passion for Jesus." Get it? M-A-P Mystery - Adventure - Passion

He also says that "passion takes root in gratitude". When was the last time you sat down and really thought about what God has done for you? Do you remember who you used to be? What were you like before you asked God to begin to work in your heart and life? What are you like now?

For me it's like night and day - darkness to light - captive to freedom. The contrasts are vivid. I was dead and now I am alive. I was void of hope and now I am full of hope.

I used to be a screamer and yet I had no voice. Go figure. The only time I expressed what was in my heart was when I let it out yelling at my son. For some reason I felt like that was safe? I'm not sure what I was thinking. All I know is that it would well up within me and come flying out at him. You know that verse that says out of the fullness of your heart your mouth speaks, well my heart was full of anxiety and harshness and anger. I was also a perfectionist. I tried to control things that I could so I would clean incessantly and everything had to be in its place. Now that's nearly impossible with a small child living in your home. I guess I thought he should be perfect too so if he wasn't, well let's just say I'm not at all proud of how I acted. And yet, if you put me in a group of people I couldn't express myself at all. I would clam up and become anxious, palms sweating, turning red and I thought I would pass out if we were going around the room even just to introduce ourselves. It was crazy! Today I do not scream. Our home is filled with peace. I don't clean like that anymore either and sometimes my husband wonders if there is a place for things. Ok, I could use a little balance. But I am filled with love and joy today. And I completely and totally credit God with any and all progress I have made in that area. Without Him I was living in an inner hell. With Him I have been set free. I am so thankful!! And yes, it gives me a passion for Him that fills me up.

It is good to sit and remember where we came from and Who got us here. Isn't that what this week is all about, remembering what Jesus did for us? In more ways than this one I've written about He has redeemed my life. I could go on and on and on but you get the picture. Take some time this week to remember Him and what He has done for you personally. If you need to share it, come on - leave a comment or a link to your own blog. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life. Because the more we see Him, the more we love Him. The more we experience what He is doing the more we trust Him. I don't know about you but I want more - more Mystery, more Adventure, more Passion. More Jesus.