Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
(Hebrews 10:32-35)
These verses were written to encourage believers to not lose their awe. To remember the day they were saved, remember the joy that comes in being washed clean. To remember the confidence they first had, despite the hardships that followed their decision. To find constant joy and peace in the gospel.
I remember the day I was saved. I'm sitting where it happened, right now. Cafe Diem in Ankeny, Iowa. It was a Sunday afternoon (January 22nd, 2012) at a small table in the middle of the coffee shop. I was sitting across from Katie, and we were there for three hours. I was 16 (barely), a sophomore in high school. It was Romans 8 that opened my eyes, and time left alone with only the promises of God. It was not a quick change, but the first huge step on a long climb upwards. I remember the feeling. The feeling of relief, of letting go, of being changed, saved, loved. I remember the awe of the Bible, reading that I was loved beyond measure, that He saw me, that I was not a slave to all that I had done, but that I am called HIs and His alone.
It was here, that the gospel found me. It was here that I recieved the light.
I am constantly amazed at how far I've come since the day I found myself here. How I've grown and changed, how God has used me and loved me and lead me. However, I never want to lose the wonder that came in that first moment, and the joy that pushed to climb out of the hole I was in.
Here I was saved, and despite how far I find myself from that day and this place, I never want to forget it. The gospel never changes. We are never "more deserving" and the king of kings coming down in perfection to hang on a cross for me and you should never become something "we've heard a million times." The gospel continually begs a response, and I pray mine will always be one of awe, wonder, praise, and thankfulness, just as it was that very first day.
