A Personal Confession

It's been almost twenty-three years since I was saved, but the wonder and wisdom of God's grace in my life remains fresh to this day. I am in awe of His tender, detailed care of me which shows up in daily provision, instruction, and "This one's for you, Kay!" DIRECT communication from Him. How does this happen? It can be through a dream, the words of another, a closed door... but more often than not, He speaks to me through the Bible. For every question I've faced each day as a mother, daughter, sister, wife, employee, or friend, the balanced answer I need lies within the Word of God.

The Bible is like no other book in existence. It is alive and specific to me for this moment in time through the power of the Holy Spirit. That's why I can read a chapter in Proverbs every day (matching the date with the chapter) month after month and never grow bored with the lesson. This is a practice I've adopted, in addition to my regular morning Bible study, since 1990.

The Bible is INSPIRED, which literally means it was breathed out from God into the men who recorded it. It's a love letter just for me, and the Lord has hidden all kind of treasure within it for me to discover. He delights in revealing the strength and power of his wisdom to me as I strive to work my way out of the complacent cocoon of my humanity and fly by faith closer to Him.

The Word of the Lord is INERRANT: totally accurate in content and prophecies, having no mistakes. The Bible says itself best in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

There is NO other book in the world that can make this claim.

I am very intentional when I sit down with my Bible. I expect the Lord to speak to me at any moment and pray that I will have ears to His his voice. Because I am (painfully) aware of my tendency to be an Israelite even after He's made His presence known in a miracle--God? What God?--I take the time to record what I learn or what I think He is saying to me when I study.

Over the years, the journals have piled up. It is astounding to me how much I am capable of forgetting. When I tuck an old journal in my work bag and "snack" on it at the hospital with my lunch, I sometimes think to myself, "Wow! This stuff is right ON! Who wrote this thing?" only to be startled back to reality by the recognition of my own handwriting. How could I have forgotten the eager acknowledgement of such wise precepts and deep truths? I am an Israelite: you part the Red Sea for me today and I will forget all about your faithfulness tomorrow, unless I make a record of it and am diligent to review. Oh, the fraility of man!

So, beloved friends and family members, as the anniversary of my spiritual birthday approaches, I wish to take a moment and make a personal confession to you of my faith in Christ Jesus, my thankfulness for His Saving Grace, my dependence upon His living Word, and my awareness of the Holy Spirit's leading in my life. I am a living trophy of God's mercy and tender love.

I am indeed blessed. Through no merit of my own, He has chosen ME! The freshness of that miracle shines brighter with each passing day.

Kay O'Hara
September 5, 2007