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“Exhort one another every day that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)

Remember those days when we thought we knew it all? Our parents, well, they were lost in a time warp unaware of what was going on. Us, we had the answer to everything or at least we thought we did. Age seventeen, I took the plunge and married my new boyfriend. Dismissed all the advice from friends and family – after all I was old enough – I knew everything. Didn’t take me long to realize my dependence on “self” wisdom was way off course.

Perhaps you have found yourself in the same place. What appeared good, exciting and adventurous in a moment evaporated all too quickly. Wore out my knees on cold floors many times crying out to the very One I never consulted because I knew it all. Held out that just maybe things would turn around, and they did but not for the better. Found myself a single parent at age thirty struggling to survive.

Wonder what would have happened if I had listened, waited and accepted the truth staring me in the face? I’m sure this girl’s story would have been different, but my heart was so full of self and not enough of Jesus. God’s truths had saturated my mind the moment I had air to breathe. Church was my first trip as a babe and Sunday School stories filled my days. Flannelgraph and all – I knew them one by one. Yet knowing and doing are two different venues. My heart was fooled and my mind was hard, steadfast determined to do life my way. It didn’t serve me well.

Love this reminder from Hebrews. Gentle words not harsh. Simple phrase to exhort, encourage one another every day. Temptation, distractions, harshness seek to form a crust over tender hearts ready to receive His words. Before we even know it, we’ve slipped further away. Reading His words doesn’t soak in; they’re just simply duty. Truths that should propel us away from ugly consequences are rationalized quickly.
Despite my “self” wisdom this Jesus girl is thankful for His ever presence. When I kept turning away, God kept seeking. Planting people all around me to encourage, exhort and soften my hardness. Blessed to know God has enough mercy for our mistakes, failures and outright disobedience. Grateful for His grace in never leaving us nor giving up.

Lessons well learned living hard roads. Encouragement abounds when we’ve experienced it washing other us. Note to Self: Hard hearts reap hard places – soft hearts reap His joy.

“Sweet Jesus sin is a our great deceiver leading us further and further away from You. Protect our hearts, shield our minds and keep us on our knees totally dependent on You alone.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life