Washed in the blood or just in the water

Everywhere I have turned lately I have been given reminder after reminder of how much God had my life in His hands. Following the revival we had in May, I have had my eyes opened in so many ways. I didn't realize that I had been walking around with my eyes closed or with blinders on to prevent me from seeing what had been there all along. 

About a month ago now, I was driving home following a Wednesday night service when the Josh Bladwin came on the radio as I crossed over the river bridge. It's a song I have heard probably 100 times or more but in that moment, the words of that song was used to remove those blinders and open my eyes. The words of the chorus were simple yet so profound, "I see the evidence of Your goodness all over my life, all over my life. I see Your promises in fulfillment all over my life, all over my life." I sit and ponder every moment, every detail of how God through His goodness, mercy and grace orchestrated steps, guided and protected until the time where I could discover the wonderful Truth of His gospel. 

As a teenager in a Southern Baptist church, I was a strange one in that I liked Southern Gospel quartet music. My sister and I was fortunate in that the choir director of our church sang bass in one of those local quartets so we spent many Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons sitting in as part of those singings (sangins if you're from the south). There is a reason I throw that tidbit in here. We both were pretty obsessed with the songs these men had written, songs that you cannot find as part of the Gospel music world today after they "retired". But we learned every lyric, every note of these songs and belted them at the top of our lungs every chance we got. 

Over the years, I've thought about certain lyrics of those songs and, try as I might, could not recall them. Some of the "new stuff" that served as the songs for their last album together, I truly never learned. I never thought I would forget the words to Lifesaver or Family Reunion but I did. Then on Thursday night I got a pleasant suprise. 

I have been swapping between vehicles lately depending on weather. My SUV has no working ac at the moment. If sunny and zero chance of rain, I can drive it while rolling down the back windows on the driver's side, the passenger front windows and opening the moon roof. If any chance of rain, I have to drive the van so I can get air circulation (the ac works on it). Downfall there is the wipers like to catch on each other and tear up, leaving metal scrapping against the windshield.  The other downfall is I hit a deer so the passenger side headlight is busted. 

I decided to make the trip to Mississippi for our youth group's Freedom Conference on Thursday night. I was torn on which to drive due to the distance. I ended up choosing to drive the van due to expected tropical downpours. Before leaving town, I stopped at the parts store for new wipers blades and headed out.

I had just crossed over the dam in Town Creek when I looked and noticed a cassette tape in the tape player of the van. Knowing my sister had different tastes in music these days, I was bracing myself for what it would be. It was a blast from the past with those old songs I had forgotten. I pushed the tape into the player and was instantly carried back 30 years. 

As the words of the songs began to play through the speakers, the Holy Ghost started nudging me to hear words that I had long ago forgotten. One song in particular started to take on a new meaning to me. The lyrics were written by Steve Slaton, Eddie Lenz and Wade Wimberly.  They asked a question, that if I had truly listened back then, would have pointed me in the direction of Truth instead of me spending so many years wandering on a dark path. The song started off with the chorus before getting into the song, but they said:

Chorus: Are you washed in the blood or just in the water? Are you washed in the blood of the crucified lamb? Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Vs 1:Some people k ow the Bible like the back of their hand. From cover to cover, every word they understand. From Moses to the gospels, they know every part. But you don't know Jesus till He enters in your heart. 
Repeat the chorus
Vs 2: When you get to heaven will you wear a robe and crown? In the Book of Life will your name be written down? Will your sins be covered when the price He paid is due? Or will He say get thee away I never knew you?

As I've listened to that song quite a few times now since Thursday, I smile every time now. Not because I have the tape and can hear my old friends singing again, but because I know the Truth now. That song and others that they wrote and sang are evidence of how He was reaching for me even then. 



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