You may not know this, but Christianity isn’t meant to make you into an efficient, moral woman. Are we meant to change as Christ stuns us with His forgiveness? Absolutely. But the transformation that comes, impacting who we are as women, does so naturally, as an afterthought of God’s love for us, surprising us as it shows up.

                                                                                                        —Jan Meyers

Are you stunned by Christ’s forgiveness? Shocked by his unconditional love that flows no matter our behavior?

I hope so. We should never lose our wonder and sheer astonishment over the grace and kindness of God, demonstrated clearly by Christ’s death for us. One of our greatest deterrents against the onslaught of besetting sins is to plunge deeply into the life and ministry of Jesus. How long has it been since you slowly, prayerfully read one of the gospels?

I just finished Matthew’s account of the Lord’s short earthly ministry. I was moved by Jesus’ compassion as he graciously stopped to heal a blind beggar. I paused and put myself in the desperate man’s place. Physically I am able to see clearly, but I asked the Lord, “Where am I blind to your perpetual presence in my life?� And do you know what he showed me? I am blinded when the whirl of daily activities and demands causes me to worry instead of pray. I am blinded by my incessant selfishness from seeing and responding to the countless needs of others in my life. I quietly asked God to heal me of my blindness, too.

At the end of Matthew’s gospel, I stopped again at the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene was there at dawn, her love so great, she just had to be with Jesus. She fully expected to find him still dead. But what did she find? A glowing angel, frightened guards, and an empty tomb. The guards were not the only ones afraid; Mary was terrified, too. But the angel did not tell the soldiers to quit their shaking; only to Mary did he say, “Don’t be afraid.� Why? Jesus was no longer in the tomb,  but alive, a victor over death, sin, and fear. As I reread the account, I needed to hear those words myself. I struggle with fears—fear of what people will think of me and fear of failure in ministry activities, to name just a few. So I personally received the “Fear not!� for me, as well. I am now comforted and more aware of the surprising nature of God’s love.

Choose a gospel today and begin a thoughtful, application-rich read.