I was turned onto this story at the conference I attended in Nashville last weekend.
Hear Charlene Cothrane's story on YouTube, as well.
Priscilla Shirer, phenomenal speaker(especially for young women), told the "short version" story of this lady; a story she had just heard days before.
READ IT BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER...
How many of us would really be willing to give up everything? And when we were yet "babes in Christ"?
I say I would and I have in a much bigger capacity than I would have even three years ago, but would I be this bold? I only pray that I could be...and only through His strength do I think I could; however, I KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that I would never regret it. In some ways, I have to say that I envy this bold woman of the faith. Even though her life is tough right now, there is no doubt that "her cup overfloweth" and I SO LOVE being overflowing in Christ. There is no way to even describe the spirit dancing inside and, not feeling, but BEING completely at peace, content, alive and enboldened.
I believe strongly that God uses every moment of my life to prepare me for his purpose--no matter my "sin factor". I believe it because I've experienced it--the more I open myself to be used, the more aware I become of the past and day after day, it's clearly visible to me that every step of my life was preparation for "such a time as this". No matter what "as this" is. My whole life--the good, the bad and the ugly-- is relevant to Him every day.
So, it becomes of me, through freewill, the choice--to let myself be used by my Creator. From my birth to my death, through walking with the Lord step for step, and the times I've put a huge chasm between him and I, I am being called, "being prepped," to serve a purpose. There are high times and there are low, low times walking with other believers, but, there are absolutely no accidents; there is only perfection.
Everyone has a story--a history. Someone out there relates to my story--my sin, my struggle, my guilt, my tragedy, my loss, my depravity. Relational discipleship. The cycle of salvation, of "bringing into the fold". That's why the Bible is all about stories.
He conquered sin through death, so much so, that my sins--present, past and future--could not cause me to be useless for Him. That's awesome to me. Christ took the fact that I'm a sinful creature and uses it for His glory, through his power over death. Christ uses forgiven sin for His glory! That must really piss Satan off!
I always wondered why Christ does not also allow us to forget our sin when we ask forgiveness, as He forgets our sin; well, I think I might have a clue--if we forget our sin, how can we possibly relate to "the unredeemed sinners among us"? Does that even make sense? I'm thinking "on the blog".
This woman, Charlene, is not letting her sinful nature be the guilt that keeps her from being used by Christ. Thank heaven for what believers she has around her that were not so appalled by her sin, or overcome by hate, to render her unworthy to Christ's Kingdom. I love the fact that her Pastor is a woman, given her bad histories with men. Again, perfection in His plan--no accident, no coincidence.
She's bold; we need more believers like her. Believers not afraid to say, "Yes, I'm a Christian, take me for who I am, be offended but I will not be ashamed, I will not be silenced. And, personally, neither will I allow legalists to hijack Christ's name, as I have in the past because NOW I know better. I know the real Christ; I experience a relationship as real as you and me, everyday I wake and by God's grace, I'll never go back.
Yes, I Amy, am A Believer and I walk, talk and live as much a "Christian" as I can.
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