The Place of My Denial

G'day, Mate!
Lately, our home has been filled with the sights and sounds of Australia. No, we're not planning a big trip, although that is one of my dream destinations. We're getting geared up for Spring Valley Baptist's "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School! (It's being held from June 15-19. Come on and join us!! http://www.springvalleybaptist.com) I am serving as the Worship Rally leader this summer, so I've been playing the music, watching the DVDs, and brushing up on my Aussie lingo. Thankfully, my 9-year-old is quick to let me know if something I think of is "way cool" or "really lame, Mom".

The other day, as I watched the VBS DVD, I was drawn to the images they were showing.
The narrator was in Israel, and she was taking the viewers on a trip around the country to sites that were important in the ministry of Jesus, as well as in the life of Peter.

In one of the segments, they showed the steps to the home of the high priest, where Jesus was taken on the night before his crucifixion. The narrator explained that these steps were well over 2000 years old, and that they are believed to be the very steps that Christ ascended on that horrible night. As she walked up the steps, she came into the courtyard. She pointed out that this was the place where Peter was asked if he knew Jesus. Not once, but 3 times, the courtyard became the backdrop for his denial of his Savior.

As I watched, I thought about how awful Peter must have felt each time he passed that place. Even though he was later restored in his relationship with Jesus, how he must have anguished each time he had to pass those steps that led to the place he denied Christ! I thought to myself, "Wow, I'm glad I don't have a particular spot like that!"

It was then that I realized that yes, I do. I have more places of denial than I even want to admit, much less revisit. Memories began to flood my mind of all the times I had acted in ways that didn't show others that I belong to Jesus. Verbally, I may not have denied him, but words weren't necessary for others to see that I was only acknowledging myself and my own will.

Even though is was extremely painful, I began to pray and ask God to show me the times and the ways I had denied Him, and most importantly, to show me if any of those places were still active in my life. At the end of much confession and prayer, the Lord then began to bring to mind all the times He had found me in those places and pulled me back into His arms. Those habits, actions, and times of serving self--by God's grace---now serve as reminders of how empty my life was when I lived it in denial of Him. The only peace and fullness in life comes from acknowledging Him as the Ruler, King, and Redeemer of every circumstance!

May all my places of denial now become places of praise.