“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27 NASB

Our relationship with Christ is a wonderful provision made by God toward we, who are most unworthy of such kind consideration. Our covenant relationship with God offers us so much! First and foremost, forgiveness and cleansing from every unclean thing we have ever thought or done. The huge relief that comes the moment we realize that the burden of our sin has been rolled away, well some say it is a nearly physical experience. There comes a lightness to our souls, a song to our heart. I remember distinctly one such moment in my life where I had gone to God to forgive me of sins and behaviors that I knew were displeasing to Him.

As I felt His love and grace flood my soul, I literally burst out laughing and clapping my hands like a little girl. I skipped, I had not skipped since early childhood, but I skipped all across campus, my heart flooded with spiritual joy. Jesus had taken my brokenness and shame and turned it into…delighted laughter!

Some of the most powerful imagery found in scriptures comes from the idea of ‘exchange.’ Isaiah 61 says, ‘He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness.’ In the heart of this exchange though, is one clear thing. We must be willing participants. The exchange comes as we open our hearts, minds and arms to receive such bounty.

How do we do that? Through total surrender. In the act of surrender we voluntarily lay down all those things that trip us up, drying up our joy, stealing our peace. Unhappy relationships, anger from old hurts, injustices that have cost us. These things can plague our hearts and keep us stuck at the altar of disappointment.

There is a moment when we must choose to die to those things, in order to come alive in Him. The ones who make this choice are the freest and happiest people I have ever known. Peace of mind is their daily bread. Their joy is infectious and their hearts have found true contentment at the wellspring of salvation, and in His presence they have discovered fullness of joy.

So, I now decide: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives within me. Yes, Lord. I choose to die that You might live in me.

Have Your way, Lord, with me.

~ Debbie Ecker