Hello My SUMites Friends,

I’m so excited to chat about Jesus over the next several weeks. Sometimes I read the passages in the four gospels and marvel at what is truly offered to us in our human condition through the new covenant. The ideas Jesus taught, and his examples are truly brilliant and life-changing. He was radical and defiant with those of religion. He was kind to the poor and offered compassion and healing to the ailing, lost and broken.

I thought it would be awesome to start off the discussion with a question.

Who is Jesus to you?

What I mean is, how do you relate to Jesus? How do you interact with Jesus?

Sometimes sitting down and writing (in comments) our thoughts creates a beautiful awareness of the fullness Christ brings into our lives. Also, reading how others are interacting in their faith life with Christ is inspiring. Isn’t that why we listen to testimonies? They are accounts of the Lord interacting in the lives of people.

So I’ll start.

My entire faith life, even as a small girl, I somehow sensed that Jesus was always with me. Even in my years of doubt and fears, He was always there. Perhaps that is because I was raised in church. My mom made certain I attended Sunday school and VBS and the bits of teaching landed on my heart and have always been there. I was baptized at age nine. Grew up in church, learning about God and Jesus but honestly, I didn’t understand that I could “know” the Godhead personally.

I look back now all these year later, even upon my ugly prodigal years and Jesus never left me. In fact, I can think of two distinct times I should have died but was saved because of divine intervention. One day, remind me to tell you what happened in the public swimming pool. I was six. It still boggles my mind.

I became quite serious about my faith-life when in my third year of marriage, I was desperate. Ya, desperately unhappy, confused, scared and finally had no place to turn but to my faith from my childhood. I know most of you have heard this story a million times. But, it’s still so sweet to me. The prodigal gal ran home to the Father’s arms, held open wide, and I was home.

But, I was radically disobedient and in the need of heavenly wisdom. God received home a gal who needed A LOT of work.

Thus, the years of hard work, morning prayer and Bible reading, church attendance, Bible studies, and small groups. This faith life isn’t for those who have little motivation. It’s for those who are so desperate for change and hope, they will do whatever it takes to find and follow hard after Jesus.

I was that girl.

I am that girl.

The pursuit of Christ is mostly a cost-up-front proposal. You pay the cost first (time, obedience, prayer, learning the Word, practice), then the miracles, hope, healing and prosperity arrive. How do I know. I’ve lived it. But as a woman who is seeing the inheritance of all my years come into fullness now, I assure you, IT’S WORTH IT!

Jesus to me for my entire life has been the greatest teacher. He instructed me years ago where there were virtually only two resources to thrive in a mismatched marriage. Did you know Jesus taught me, Himself? And Jesus is the one who told me to share what I’ve learned back in 2006 and this blog was born. He continues to teach me and what I’m learning right now, if I told you, would blow your heads up. I’m hoping to be able to share more about this season with you in the near future.

Jesus, for me is my savior. He has saved me not once but a million times over and over. He saves me from poor choices, the pit of hell, saves me from my selfishness and so much more.

Jesus is the BEST listener, ever! So is our Father.

Jesus is the absolute power in the room when in a deliverance prayer. You should have seen Him at work this past week during a prayer session. He is all about setting the captives free. His blood alone is more powerful than most Christians understand. Jesus has taught me so much just about His blood and the power of His name. Hallelujah.

Jesus is my friend, confidant, advisor, provider, savior, teacher, Bridegroom Prince.

And Jesus isn’t kidding about our mandates and commands in the Word. He truly expects us to meet them, but He also empowers us to do so in every way. How cool is that?

I’m just scratching the surface. But today, more than anything, I want to know who Jesus is to you. I’ll see you in the comments. And take a minute to encourage another SUMite when they share in the comments who Jesus is to them in their current season.

I can’t wait.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:37-39 (KJV)