Lydia Ellis | Staff Counselor, Newnan Office
While I was working in a plant store (summer of 1976) on the beach in Panama City, Florida, a man and his wife and children came through the check out lane. He point blank asked me; “Do you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? ”I was taken back by his forwardness, yet I had been longing for this question. These words rang as truth on the inside of me. I answered emphatically; “Yes, I do believe.” He replied; “If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and was raised from the dead, then you will be saved.” I said again with my heart; “Yes I believe.”
This “believe” was a yes and amen on the inside of me that exploded into a thirst and a desire to know my Jesus. I had no “real” formal up bringing in the church that I would return to. This was a new life and perspective for me. I devoured God’s word and many different teachings, some sound and some unsound. The foundation built in me was not on the finished work of Christ. I became a “doer” to get God to love me more, rather than a person who takes joy in just “being” loved by God.
Around fifteen years ago God began revealing and defining His grace to me. With this revelation of His grace and love, I began to feel safe in looking at the lies I had been held captive to for so many years. An invitation by the Holy Spirit to search my heart began this sanctifying work in me. As sin was revealed in my life I experienced brokenness as a result of believing the lies over God’s truth. As God continues to reveal His love I now trust Him to go to the hurts. In the past I would avoid the pain, but now I run to Him who “is” the healer.
Through God’s limitless love for and in me I am experiencing His rest. Naturally out of His love in me, I am able to love others and minister to them this abundant life.
My passion is in bringing this living gospel to those who are having difficulty understanding what keeps them from experiencing this peace in the midst of life’s problems and circumstances. My prayer is for revelation that God’s heart toward them is good.
