Last Friday, which, of course, was Good Friday, I was in the operation prep room waiting to be taken into surgery. When the nurse came to put an IV in my heart became anxious because I do not have very good veins (never have, and as I’ve gotten older, it has gotten worse), and I did not want to experience being stuck multiple times. I’ve never enjoyed blood being drawn or an IVV and started, but after I witnessed what Olivia went through the last few years of her life and recent experiences of my own, I was particularly pensive about the IV. I wasn’t concerned about the surgery at all compared to the nurse searching for a vein and sticking me. Internally, I was very present to Jesus, whom I knew was the grace of God to do this thing with peace in my heart, but I wanted to hear specifically what He had to say to me. Instantly as I fixed the eyes of my heart on Him, I heard His voice clearly speaking in me – to me. He said, “Chuck, on this day, they put nails through my hands. We can handle a needlestick.” Immediately, I was able to “sink into Him” in childlike trust, and the result was I instantly experienced His peace and fortitude, as His grace took over. In that moment, my union with Him was manifested in my entire being, and my outward testimony. This is what personal revival looks like. As I rested in Jesus, I was turning away from my fear and control. This is repentance that opens the wardrobe, allowing us to step into glory. We can do all things “in Christ,” who strengthens us.
