REVISITING MY 'RESTORATION'

by Hallie Gipson

My husband and I recently made a wonderful road trip with our precious friends Al and Shirley Wiggins. Yes, the same Shirley Wiggins whose name is on this blogJ

After many days and thousands of miles by plane, train, automobile, and bus, we had finally pointed the Wiggins’ Jeep toward home! Our journey home took us through the state of Nebraska on I-80 heading east. When we crossed over the Nebraska border from Wyoming, the scenery became very familiar as did the names of the towns. We had lived in Nebraska for 17 years because of my husband’s work, so it was like a trip down memory lane to be traveling a route we had driven many times before.

It was also a trip down memory lane for me spiritually. It was 18 years ago that I had a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ that transformed my life forever! That encounter occurred at Maranatha Bible Camp, just a few miles East of North Platte, NE. I was a sponsor for our church’s youth group and we were attending a week-long event at Maranatha.

So it’s no surprise that I was curious to know if the camp was still there and if I could detect ‘signs of life’ as we drove by.  As we neared the camp that day, I could see the ‘landmark’ in the distance. The large cross was still there, visible from the highway! And I could see buses parked around the building we had used for worship services. As we sped past, I found myself recalling my encounter with The Christ and the restoration I experienced because of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

God certainly used that week at that youth camp to get my attention! I don’t remember the message or the music during the worship service, but I know God brought me to my knees at the altar that night. I felt His heavy hand of conviction on my heart and His grace wooing me to Himself. On the floor face down was not low enough when faced with my sin and God’s purity and holiness!!

I could never have imagined how God would restore my life and redeem the years I had allowed the locusts to eat! The journey to transformation and wholeness in Christ was not without its ups and downs. But God was gracious and ever-patient. I am truly not who I was! That person is gone and I am a “new creature” in Christ.

Only God could have known what would become of my life. I praise Him that He never gave up on me!! He pursued me with a passion that only a Great, Almighty, Holy, Sovereign, Loving Creator could have for His wayward child.

Not only did He redeem and restore, but He called me to serve Him in ways that have astounded me. That I heard, listened, responded, and obeyed His voice that evening still amazes me. But I recognize that, too, is His wonderful work -- amazing and astounding!

His holy word reminds me that:

          “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

          As in obeying the voice of the Lord? 

          Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than

          the fat of rams.”   (1 Samuel 15:22 NASB)

His word also says that “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and

contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”   (Psalm 51:17 NASB)

As the psalmist says, “O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.”  (Psalm 51:15 NASB)

Father God, thank You for Your many blessings of renewal, restoration, sustaining grace, forgiveness, faithfulness, lovingkindness, compassion, direction –- more blessings than I can recount!! And all because I am Your daughter – a child of THE KING!

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen”  (1 Timothy 1:17  NASB)

I have shared this part of my story in hopes of encouraging someone who might feel as if she is a ‘hopeless case’ or that God couldn't possibly love her enough to forgive, redeem and restore her life. Yes He can, and Yes He does!!

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

And why did He do this? Was it because of how great we are? NO!! Romans 3:23 tells us “that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Every act of God’s to redeem us through His Son Jesus Christ was because of His love for us!!  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8 NASB)

My prayer for you, dear one, is that you would open your heart to God’s love and redemptive plan for your life! And that you would embrace Jesus Christ who died for your sin with a passion unlike any you have known before.  He will not force Himself on you –- the choice is yours. He is waiting with open arms to forgive, redeem, and restore your life. The personal cost to you is eternal life! I pray you will accept what He’s done for you today!

Holy Father, thank You that you provided a way for us -– a way out of our sin-filled lives through Christ’s shed blood on the cross. I praise You that Christ rose from the dead to bring us into that marvelous new life with Christ! In Your Holy and Precious Name, Amen.