By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

When a person signs up for the military, they sign on knowing obedience will be the center of their lives. They know they are choosing to live their lives in line with that branch of the military.

Becoming a Christian when I was eight years old was based on Jesus having reached me with His love through a service attended one evening at a Quaker girl’s camp. I was touched to the core by that love. I knelt at the altar and asked for Jesus’ loving presence to live in my heart from that day forward.

Oh, yes. I went AWOL a couple of times within my life, then decided, “Not worth the pain and sorrows” of going my own way. The consequences were heavy. I knew Jesus never left me even though I had tried to ignore Him. Weeping my way back to Him, many decades back, paid off tremendously. Now, my heart and mind know their way home.

The word “sanctification” can seem allusive, but not really. I found it to be an unfolding process for believers once we encounter Jesus Christ and “sign on.” Words like, “I know my heart is dark and needs Your saving power; please come in so I can live in Your Light,” starts something wondrous that changes a person to the core.

But, lo, we do experience “boot camp(s)!” The trials of life may feel like they are going to kill us at points! But the joy of knowing God is right there with us directing the process . . . helping us develop the growing strength that comes as our faith is tried. We find ourselves stepping up to help others reach their footholds on the mountain of life. It is the “joy of the Lord” that lifts and rewards us.

God’s plan involves the miracle of making us desire to be holy—like Him. Holiness becomes “a very real thing” as it slowly, but surely, unfolds within. So, here we are—human and fallible with carnal natures. Yet, once we ask the Holy Spirit of God to come into us His light allows us to see the path on which we are directed. Our names are written on His loving hands as He beckons us on. “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me,” Isaiah 49:16.

There is no condemnation, as it is all about God’s love and forgiveness as He encourages us through the Holy Scriptures. He speaks. . . lifting and bringing the change we come to desire more than anything else. Yes, we are moving on to higher ground. We know where we are headed . . . we want to become more like our Father, God.

Yes, we make mistakes. And, our battles are mostly against our own fleshly desires. Repentance brings rest . . . respite. Then we are ready to face the battles again. It is God’s great love that keeps us on The Way.

Sanctification is a big word that simply means our love for the Lord increases steadily as our knowledge of Him grows. That mutual love becomes so great that we desire to fully dedicate ourselves to what He aspires for us. We know we are powerlessness to achieve this on our own. It is God Himself who amplifies us as we continue dedicating our souls in response to the love He extends to us.

Author information: Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC, is a Board-certified clinical chaplain. She has authored four books. See these at Healing-with-Joy.com where you will also find hundreds of “helps” for people who are hurting. Also, view her children’s book—free as a YouTube video.