הללויה

What an inspiring night last night! Derek and I went to the Shane and Shane concert in Marietta. I use the term concert loosely, for it was more of a night of worship and feeling God's presence. I was encouraged, humbled, broken, lifted, and filled.

Rewind 9.5 years: my first Shane and Shane encounter, freshman year of college, Lakeview baptist church, Auburn, AL. I have since seen them...oohh...maybe 10 times. And every time I am so blessed.

Let me steal a minute of your time sharing with you a scripture Shane shared with us last night that sent chills down my spine...

Galatians 3:10-14

Starting in verse 10:

10- For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." (English Standard Version)

Now....If I stopped here, I would resign myself to the idea that religion, faith, and spirituality are of no importance because I am cursed for my transgressions without hope of forgiveness....but, let's read on...

11,12-The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: "The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that's the real life." Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: "The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them." (The Message)

And this is my FAVORITE part....

13,14-Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham's blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God's life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received it. (The Message)

Let the word marinate in your heart. Let this truth resonate in your mind. Let the spirit seep into the cracks and fill your brokenness.

הללויה  (hallelujah!)