Growing in Christ

For them I sanctify myself that they too may be truly sanctified.

John 17:19

My father insisted on creating a garden, but the iron ore boulders stood in the way. He sold the largest ones for iron and heaved the mid-sized stones over the fence. The smaller ones, though, continued to show up season after season. Tending to the garden would never totally end on that rocky hilltop.

That’s how it is with our own growth in Christ, our sanctification. It is never finished. We’ll continue to mature until the time we actually see Him face-to-face.

Healing from narcissistic abuse initially feels like hauling off boulders of emotional pain and heaving stones of despair over the fence. For believers, this focused work fits under the broader umbrella of becoming more like Christ, i.e. sanctification.

Now I understand that Jesus wanted access to these wounds because they hindered my relationship with him. They had dulled my heart and tempted me to doubt God’s faithfulness.

Jesus said, “For them I sanctify myself that they too may be truly sanctified”( John 17:19 NIV). He has made a way for me and for my healing. Thankfully, His Holy Spirit knows how to access the confusion and guide me out.

Father, thank you for Your ongoing gift of sanctification. Life in this fallen world creates so many opportunities to see Your loving work in our lives. Thank you for the sacrificial gift of your Son that made a way to continue to heal and grow. Thank You that we can entrust that process to Your loving care.

© Making Sense of My Life