The Lake

There is a lake near my house where I used to go with someone who has meant a great deal to me, we had many long conversations, even arguments at this lake, it brought about pain and division.
I hadn't even driven by the lake since we were last there together...until today.

I set out to find a quiet place to sit with the Lord, to pray and read the Word. Tonight I will head out with a small group of saints to share Jesus with prostitutes and pimps on the streets of LA, I wanted to be sure I was ready in my own heart and spirit before going out.

So I drove and there was the lake, at first I didn't want to go, I drove right by, all that was there for me was painful memories and feelings of failure. But God has taught me that His heart for redemption is even for the smallest things... like places and events, that He can turn them all to good if we will allow Him.

So I turned around and headed to the lake. As I sat on the shore I felt overwhelmed by the memories, things I had said or didn't say, pain I had caused this friend. I began to think that God could never redeem this place, that I didn't deserve another chance and that even if I was given one, good could never come from this. Just then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that that is exactly how these men and women we meet tonight will be feeling, that they have gone too far, messed up too greatly and that there is no hope for good to come.

Yet, I know that that is exactly why Jesus came, to pull us out of our sin and to make beauty from ashes. He is able! He is willing! So, yet again I surrendered my heart, my past, my failures, my fears and asked the Lord to redeem me. And I asked Him to show this same hope to those we will meet tonight and to this lost and dying world.