There’s not a magical destination called “sanctification.” Well, let Me correct that: there’s not a destination called “sanctification” that you will arrive at in that natural body of yours. Sanctification was, is, and always will be a work in progress and we’re both participants in that work. You told your friend you are looking forward to living in spiritual maturity that doesn’t require as many amends. Do you not understand that making amends is a sign of spiritual maturity?

You died with Christ to the basic principles of the world: eat this, don’t eat that; check the scale; create rules then live by them. Why are you still doing that? You know ALL the worldly principles around food and movement and yet, the more attention you give to applying those principles, the tighter your pants are getting.

My yoke is easy and My burden is light. You felt that yesterday, didn’t you? I sent you into a situation that most people wouldn’t know how to handle because they haven’t walked so closely with people in seasons of suffering before - but you have.

You say all the time that ultimately, I work things out for your good and My glory. This was a good example. When you were called and asked if you would clean for this couple, you sensed in your spirit it was Me calling you and you willingly said yes. 

I can tell by your tears that I have your attention but your stomach is twisting in fearful anticipation of what we will be talking about - and that is not My desire. We need to address these tears before I bring My reproach.

My voice is not raised with you. I am coming to you with lovingkindness in My tone. You are not in trouble and you have nothing to repent of. As a child, you feared these conversations with people in places of authority, not because there was something you needed to learn, but for fear of punishment. Look up the difference between punishment and correction.

There is only one thing I am calling you to do, and that is to reveal My heart - the heart of your Daddy to the world. As you work to pull together around your house what you have so long neglected to care for, you are revealing My heart to your family. That’s where revealing My heart to the world begins.

Go clean your daughter’s bathroom.

Your eyes are filling up with tears because of the little discussion you had with her this morning.

Don’t you love how they started the whole retreat talking about priorities? Your heart burned within you. You’ve struggled in this area for YEARS and, although you’ve put many things in their rightful place, your time has not reflected that. When your husband shared his heart a couple months ago, that he feels like you’re cheating on him with Me, he’s not wrong. I told you in September that time with Me was not to rob from your family, that I don’t rob from one area to provide for another, but you have been disobedient in this area.

As Christ followers, you are called individually but your calling is collective. I bid you to come to Me individually but urge you to bring friends along. You stand accountable for others and yet you stand alone.

When you consider the cost of those Blood-stained nails, consider them an investment in your future. Don’t simply think of the Blood as a price that was paid but an investment that has been made.