Our bookmark

Whenever I would hear the words “The Gospel” my mind would automatically try to hit the skip button and move on to the next part of the sermon or whatever the person is saying, because “duh!” I already know the Gospel, I already received Christ as my Lord and savoir, so my heart and mind begin to say, “what’s next?”

Almost like picking up a book for the first time and beginning to read the introduction and quickly saying to yourself, “um let me just get to the point” so you start straight on the first chapter skipping over what the author took time to write as an introduction for his work.

But I began to notice something in my spiritual walk with God because of this, I began to get stuck on the hamster wheel, and try really hard to do the Christian to-do list to make sure I am really a Christian. You know the list, Go to church, get some quite time devotionals in, read your bible, pray, serve others, etc. The list goes on and on but my growth and dependence on God doesn’t.

Could it be that I have been treating the good news of what Jesus has done for us as the intro to the book of my life, and not a continual bookmark, to remind me of where I am? The Gospel should do just that, look at Romans 4:8 But God demonstrates His own Love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It should remind you to stop the to do list and realize there is nothing you can do to merit that kind of Grace and love, so just receive it, put your faith in the work he has done, and allow that remind you to move closer to the cross and reflect that same love that was poured out on us to others.

When I began to understand this, and really see my need for his cross everyday, that is when I begin to have my heart humbled and say “Lord I cant, you can, I need you” that’s what it looks like to be poor in spirit.

Matthew 5:3 blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

I pray for those of you reading this, I pray you will begin to have a new heart for the Gospel. One that will see your need for God’s loving grace and begin to pour that love onto those around you. The Gospel is not just the intro of your story with Christ; it’s the bookmark of every page you turn.