The following is an excerpt from my next book which I am continuing to write and plan to finish before the end of this year. To God be the Glory.
“On Thursday, February 21, 2013, “The Bible” series premiered on television. The most powerful episode for me was the crucifixion. I have watched old movies that included the familiar scene from the 1940s to1960s, as well as the more recent movie in 2004, “The Passion of the Christ”. The images depicting the agony and suffering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have always been painful, even unbearable to watch, as in “The Passion”, triggering tears for His unimaginable suffering and ultimate sacrifice for all mankind.
Tonight, however, I felt a personal connection with Jesus through the action on the TV screen. In this scene, Christ had just been nailed to the cross. The cross was being hoisted and set in the ground. As the cross was rising upright, in that moment, I experienced the absolute loneliness of Jesus, the rejection, the isolation, the separation. That moment of divine connection by the Holy Spirit caught my breath, and uncontrollable sobs erupted. I remained motionless as I watched the scene progress on the TV screen, stunned from that one breathless encounter. Reassurance followed of God’s love and presence in my heart. I repeated my resolve to stay the course, to persevere.
The next morning my daily devotion included a passage in Hebrews. My eyes read on past the biblical reference until the following scripture grabbed and held my attention. The vision of Christ on the cross came to mind, that moment of realization I had experienced returned, and I felt conviction from God. I reread the passage multiple times and highlighted the text for future reference.
Hebrews 10:35-39 (NIV):
“35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”
My identity is in Christ, who will supply all my needs. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God equips those He has called. I do not have a vision yet, but God is moving me along towards my destiny.
Psalm 18:46: “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!”
There would be much to learn and to experience with God between this moment in 2013 and the first vision in October 2016 regarding my future. The book will reveal these events.