The Agony and The Ecstasy

I experienced agony and ecstasy on the way to work this morning as I listened to a song on the radio.

The song was "Why Me, Lord?" I believe it was written by Shel Silverstein. I know that Kris Kristofferson and Christy Lane have both recorded it.

I cried twice as it was played today.

The first tears came as the Christy Lane sang these lines; "Lord, help me, Jesus, I've wasted it. So help me, Jesus, I know what I've done."

I cried because I identified so much with that line. I know what I've done. And I don't mean the good things. I mean the sins that I have committed against God. They have been many and they have been grievous.

I cried because I wish so much that I had never sinned or that I could wipe them away.

The song went on and Miss Lane came to another line that moved me to tears. "Lord, Help me, Jesus, I've wasted it. So help me, Jesus, I know who I am."

Now I can't be sure what the writer meant by that line. If you think about it, it could be interpreted two ways. It could be another statement lamenting what sin had done.

But the Lord used it to speak to me in my tears to remind me that in Christ I am now not what I used to be. I am saved. I am cleansed. I am different.

Those of you who know me well may be thinking negatively right now. That's okay. Listen to this. I'm not who or what I ought to be all the time, you're right. But I'm not what I used to be either. And I can tell you that God is still working on me night and day so that I'm not yet all that I'm gonna be by His power and to His glory.

I know what I am. I am His. Not because of anything I have done but because He has chosen to love me. He has chosen to love me in spite of my sins. In His great love for me, He graciously offered to save me, cleanse me by the blood of Jesus and I took Him up on His offer.

Yes, I remember what I've done not to deserve His love and salvation. And I know what I am because of His love and salvation.

I think the remembering of why I shouldn't be saved and blessed makes the reality that I am saved and blessed that much sweeter.

I enjoyed the agony and the ecstasy today. If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you can celebrate both today as well.

If you don't know Him in the way of salvation, invite Him to come into your heart today. He'll change you, cleanse you, save you, love you.

It truly will be ecstasy.

Pray please. For revival.

In His Love
Walter