conviction.
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” // Mk 10:21-22
Conviction is not condemnation. Conviction is a call to reformation. It is a movement through your spirit, maybe even a subtle shift in your heart that directs you to a place in need of healing. The place you are being drawn to is where He is asking you to reflect. He is giving you the invitation for renewal (Philemon 1:20). Conviction is Jesus as the Divine Teacher. We go to Him, like the rich man, and ask how we can become more like Him, what will draw us closer to holiness? Jesus looks at us, loves us, and directs the eyes of our hearts to the most tender places. He never condemns us. He wants your heart, not your sacrifice (Matthew 9:13). Jesus wants you to learn, to grow, and to follow Him. He loves you just as you are, He knows all that you are, and He calls your heart to conviction because He knows all that you will be. There are places within you that may seem impossibly hardened, immoveable. There are places within you that you may not even know exist. This lenten season is your invitation for renewal. Go to your Teacher, lean into the guidance of a loving Father, and listen to what He is asking of you.
We are not and never will be perfect. Just like the rich man, we may fail in immediate obedience to the Father. However, Jesus never stopped loving Him. He gave the rich man the invitation to the Kingdom. He gave him the conviction his heart needed for holiness. That man walked away, unable to convert his life. Yet, he did not leave empty and Jesus did not give up on him. He gave him the invitation and the awareness to his weaknesses with love; that is conviction. I imagine that good, rich man went on to ponder and pray with the words Jesus spoke to him. Over time, he may have prayed for the grace and strength to overcome his weaknesses for the sake of his heart and the Kingdom. The rich man may have had several new encounters with the poor. With open eyes and a refreshed heart, he may have been overcome with the virtue of charity to the point of total surrender and sacrifice.
Jesus does not give up and He isn’t trying to learn your heart so He can condemn it. As you get to know the Lord, and grow in His trust, it may seem scary to ask Him to reveal your weaknesses. Never forget that His conviction begins with looking at you, loving you, and leading you to new found holiness. The closer you draw to His heart, the more He will reveal Himself to you. Do not be afraid, but transformed. You will not walk away sad, but full of everlasting joy.
Prayer
Jesus, You are our Divine Teacher. You know exactly where our hearts are ready for purification. Open our eyes to these places, and give us the grace to meet You there. Though it may be scary to face our weaknesses, You never condemn us, but love us fully. You are a perfect Father who can fully see us as we are and completely love us. In all of our mess, our weakness, darkness, and failures, You see what we will be. Grant us the same desire for holiness as You have for our lives. Open the eyes of our hearts to these places and walk with us in this journey to renewal. May we face conviction with loving dependence and obedience. In Your name, for Your Kingdom, amen.
Questions
Pause and ask Jesus where He is convicting your heart. Imagine your Father looking at you, loving you, as He directs you to conviction and holiness.
Have you ever felt like the rich man? Have you ever felt unable to overcome your weakness? Take this to the foot of the cross. Ask Jesus to walk with you. Tell Him this area is so tender and it may be a slow conversion. Give Him your open heart and your willingness. He will give you the grace to persevere.
What practical ways is He calling you to be renewed this lent? Where are you at right now? What is the sin holding you back in this season? Is it gluttony, sloth, greed, jealousy? Ask Jesus to show you moments of reconciliation.. invitations to transformation. When jealousy arises find gratitude. When sloth weighs you down, give of your time to help someone in need. When anger bubbles up, find the goodness in others. You can overcome the impossible, because nothing is impossible with the Divine Teacher.
x courtney.
