When we first started the Bible study on Our Inheritance with my teacher, Beth Moore this semester, I was not sure about the whole concept. I worried that it might be too much on the attitude of what can You do for me, Lord? I was concerned it would be too much about us and not enough about Him. The very first week, I wrote a letter (the dreaded letters she must get) expressing sadly that somehow I really didn’t want the wild ride in the red convertible with Christ. For so many years, He has been my peace, my patience, my love, my heart for others. My circumstances, on the other hand, were my “wild ride” and frankly, I preferred the calm Jesus, not the radical One.  Over the course of the last six weeks, I have come to love Jesus even more than I thought possible. I know that He Himself is my inheritance, and the gifts He’s given aren’t about me. We all know this with our hearts, but she has the anointing to make it fall fresh and pierce the misconceptions to bring Truth. And I needed the reminder. I needed the heart tug, and boy, get ready-this one tugs at your heart. Just about the time I think it’s going to just be a head exercise, the Holy Spirit throws me a curve that cuts through my heart of stone straight to a place that needs healing. I spent most of the last two sessions with a lump in my throat, knowing I needed a good cry and some time alone with just Him to sort through our business. If I could tell you one reason alone why I love Beth’s teaching so much is she can reach that place and cause me to feel again His love that so overtakes me.

Do you know how brave it is to want all that Jesus has to offer? That wild ride for fear-laden people like me can scare you to death. But not taking Him up on it scares me more. Jesus loves the faithful. He doesn’t want us to waste our time here with the gifts He’s given us, squandering them away. It’s not about what He can do for us. It’s  about what He can do through us. He searches the world over for a servant who won’t get puffed up with a gift or be too timid to use what He has equipped us for His Glory. I’m ready to fasten my seatbelt and get in that red convertible. I beg Him to pick me.  Well, mine might be a Volvo, but He knows well our fragile frames, and is waiting and asking, When, my child, will you trust me?

I really don’t need a calm Jesus. How thankful I am for a radical Jesus who works so miraculously among us and within us.

Close your eyes and let the words settle on your weary heart. It will minister to you. Let’s take a wild ride in Him, not in mere circumstances. May the flowing Winds of Grace flood you, and bring you straight to His Feet in joy and gratitude for a Savior who loves you enough to never let you go.