James used to be my favorite book of the bible.
Now, don't get me wrong - James is great. But, in this case, it served as a magnifying glass to the legalistic bend of my heart.
I can be pretty analytical at times. I revel in moments of reflecting on how God has grown me over the past years and seeing the ways my faith has matured and grown more intimate. However, this process can cause me to reprimand my previous self for missing it. "How could I have been so dumb as to think _______" or "how did I not understand _______?"
This journey from legalism into freedom has been nothing short of incredible. To reflect on the heavy weight of the law in comparison to the freedom that has come from a fuller understanding of the gospel is extraordinary. It's all I can do to raise my hands and utter "GLORY."
I've gone from a faith that was life taking to a faith that is life GIVING.
I used to read the bible and see all the "DOs" and "DO NOTs", but now I see the bible as one big "DONE".
It went from an impossible checklist to a big check mark.
The funny thing is, the minute I stopped trying to pull myself up by my bootstraps and began surrendering to God, I began to grow in ways I hadn't before.
These moments of reflection are precious beyond compare. To look back and say "Man, God, you've really done it."
I surrender all. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
