As the world-wind of life continues I get a minute to catch my breath and my thoughts. It seems like lately our plate has been overflowing and we continue to add more in hopes of getting ahead. I have been wanted to write this blog for quite sometime and have the thoughts and points I want to share but just haven’t had the time to sit down and put them on paper so here is goes.
Before I became a Christian and really understood what life within Christ really meant. I would hear the term “Born Again” and conceptually didn’t really know what that meant. I always had hints of what I thought it meant but after experiencing God first hand and building a relationship with Him I truly understood the meaning.
Let me paint this picture for you today. I am stuck in bumper to bumper traffic headed my way into Boston for work working on 4 hours of sleep I find myself listening non value added banter back and forth between two radio announcers on sports talk radio. I look outside and see a hawk gracefully gliding through the air as if the entire sky is his domain. I turn off the radio and I am in silence other than the hum of the car. I watch this majestic bird sway back and forth with the sunrise in the background and rays of light peak through the clouds. So beautiful beyond measure honestly. My perception of the this world is different than it used to be. I pray and thank God for the gift of not only the ability to enjoy this sight and the moment he provided me to recognize it but also the fact that as a human this and everything else is provided as a gift from Him for our pleasure.
As this moment continues I refocused my attention to the car in front of me and notice it has a bumper sticker that just simply says “pray”. Then shortly after I notice a blinking traffic sign says “Stay Alert. Be Aware. Be Alive. ” I read into this more than a warning but a way of life a series of events that could only be strung together as a message from God.
Nicki and I chose to get baptized as adults. It is one of, if not the greatest moments of my life next to the birth of my children and my wedding day. As I rose out of the water I opened my eyes to a new life. A life that I have decided to dedicate towards believing in Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. This new life gave me new perspective. I appreciated things more, to feel more compassion for people, to began to make decisions not by my own will, but His. But this didn’t happen instantaneously it took time and will continue to.
Ephesians 1:18 says “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”
In addition to having new eyes to see things differently my personality and emotions have changed
As a child my father was an overly emotional guy. We often would joke about him sitting watching a movie and crying on sappy part. As a young man I never understood this honestly. I always had the impression that ‘boys don’t cry’ and often times in moments where my emotions were high I would hold back and shut down.
Since becoming a Christian I can confidently tell you I weep more often than my Dad did and I understand why. Our emotions are a reflection of our heart and feelings. My weeping often is in joy and peace and comfort. In praise and appreciation and thankfulness because I was pulled from a destructive lifestyle and giving amazing blessing of abundant life through with my children and wife and family. This life was nothing I could dream of but could only be given by God. I weep because in my heart I know at the core I am not worthy of this love or life but He pursued me and continues to pursue to provide blessings.
Ezekiel 36:26 says “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
I truly believe this is a different life and I am a different person. That is why the term ‘born again’ is so impactful. I was given a chance to be forgiven of my sins and start over living a life through Him, Jesus Christ.
As finished my commute into the city I pulled into the parking garage took a few minutes and watched this video. Watch This is my go to when I want to conquer the world and get motivated. Take a minute and watch.
I then prayed about the day about the moments he provided me during the morning and ask for guidance and love over my family. Immediately as I said Amen. I get a phone call from this little ham. Confirmation that I am here for a greater purpose and what ever obstacle is in my way. I can handle it. I am truly thankful and blessed that I have been born again into the new life.
One of my favorite songs that captures this perfectly is. Josh Garrels – Born Again take listen
HEATHFAMILYEXPERIENCE 