The Lord is working amazing things in our hearts. Our 9 months here have been full of learning just how sinful we really are. Selfishness, covetousness, and idolatry are just a few of the things in our hearts that have been brought to the light. It’s been painful realizing just how disobedient we are to what God asks of us in Scripture; in Matthew 5:21-28 we see that God’s intention for us is not simply to follow the 10 commandments externally, but that it’s what is in our heart that matters more than anything. He requires of us a higher standard, that even our thoughts and hearts submit to His direction for us. While we often feel that we follow all of the “rules” God gives us, when we read Jesus’s words we are given a mirror that shows us just how far we fall short. This can be hard to swallow, it’s definitely a blow to our pride, but it is a GIFT. When the Spirit shows us our shortcomings, we can repent for them and be right before God because Jesus took our punishment on the cross and was raised so that we can also have life with Him. If we believe in Christ’s payment for us, when we sin the Lord requires of us only our repentance in order to be near to him again. Because of Jesus we are ALWAYS welcomed back, ALWAYS taken in again and embraced, no matter how big we messed up. And it’s not because God has to do any of it, but He wants to. He wants us to be free from our terrible, screwed up, messy lives, and to live in joy and peace walking close to Him. This is what the Lord has been teaching us about in our time here, and we are thankful.