This year sent discipline, discipleship, and rejoicing Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve been learning to truly rejoice in my troubles and sorrows. Yes, I genuinely feel joy as the Lord works deep, gut-wrenching change to my character.

My drug-crazed hippy days caused a lot of damage to a very sinful man. To say that I’ve finally matured enough to allow the lord to do whatever He wants encourages me. I honestly had no idea how severe the damage was. As He works deeply within, I see revelations about who He wants me to be—how He designed me, and glimmerings of what he has called me to do.

Forgetting the past I press on

The Truth disrupts my self-image. I now see that as a good thing. I no longer rejoice in my status of curmudgeon. Worse, I know that aspect of me only shows how deeply my damage and self-centeredness constrain me. How will I emerge? I have almost no idea except that I will be more like Jesus. NO, I do not truly know what that means.

This reveals the call on all of us. The Lord’s agenda remains the growth of our character. He’s concerned about the fruit of the Spirit. His goal became mine this year.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. —Gal. 5:22–25 RSV

After nearly 44 years, this remains simple to understand and very difficult to execute. And, that reveals the problem. As long as I’m trying to execute the action, I have no hope. The power and grace as I work it out in fear and trembling are given by He who works within me, “both to will and to do His good pleasure”. He makes me willing and empowers me to do. What a great Lord we serve!

So, with rejoicing Happy Thanksgiving!

I pray you are all doing well. Turn to Him and let Him reveal the wonderful path He has prepared for you to walk in.