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Transformation is rarely an easy process. Who among us actively seeks out our own change? Even if a paradigm shift (a new way of thinking – aka “repentance”) is better for us, it is still unknown. The unknown can be scary. What we know has become comfortable. Even though our experience may be miserable, it’s something we know and can control… Or so we think.

Shift Happens in the Father’s Embrace

Mel Wild in his book Sonshift talks about the shift that took place in his own life when he felt the embrace of the Father. At the time he was at the end of his rope with a business that was failing and relationships about to fail. God gave him the choice, “either face the hell in your life and work this out with me, or you can leave and do as you please.”

He was given a real choice because Love requires real freedom of choice.

He chose to face the hell of his own making and work it out with God. It was when he decided to get real with God that he experienced the profound love of the Father and this love shifted everything.

He writes:

“I suddenly felt my heavenly Fathers BIG arms of love around me, hugging all the vitriolic poison out of my soul.”

When I read that line I was stunned because I had just said to my wife minutes before reading this phrase from Mel’s book Sonshift, “I feel like there is a vitriol in my soul poisoning me.”

What is the Vitriol that Poisons You?

The source of the poison in my heart was really my own lack of love. It was choosing “being right” over love. This lack of love poisoned my mind against others. I was judgmental of others. I imagined that they were all judging me as well.

My vitriol was a product of all the lies I believed about who God is and about my acceptance by, and identity in, him.  My pride and fear and all my insecurities plagued my tenuous and troubled relationship with God. I often struggled with the feeling that I was a hopeless failure. I felt unworthy and unloved.

Am I good enough? Does God really love me as I am? What about all the times I have ignored or betrayed him? Does he really just forgive me? What about the lack of change I still see in my life? Am I really a new creation like the Bible says? How could I be, given my track record?

Jesus is the answer for all these questions.

Nothing ever changes or shifts for us if we only ever stare at our own problems yet refuse to shift our focus to the cure. The problem will be solved only when we look to the cure. Jesus is the cure.

Who is Mel Wild?

Mel Wild is God’s favorite (and so are you), and is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in Wisconsin. Mel’s passion is pursuing the Father’s heart in Christ and giving it away to others. He spends his time trailblazing the depths of God’s grace and documenting that journey in his blog: https://melwild.wordpress.com/

Mel and I have been blogging buddies for several years now. I tune into his blog from time to time and am encouraged by his interactions with what I have been writing.

Iconoclast of a Reformation Shift

One of Mel’s friends, Mark Hendrickson, has dubbed Mel an iconoclast. What does this mean?

The word Iconoclast “has also come to refer to aggressive statements or actions against any well-established status quo. It is a frequent component of major political or religious changes. People who engage in or support iconoclasm are called iconoclasts, a term that has come to be applied figuratively to any individual who challenges “cherished beliefs or venerated institutions on the grounds that they are erroneous or pernicious””. (Source)

Is there something about the status quo that needs challenging? Do any of us hold beliefs that are erroneous or pernicious?

ummm… yes.

What is Mel Wild challenging?

Mel says, “Let’s just be honest and say that in many ways American Evangelicalism is broken. The church needs reformation. The catalyst for this new reformation and Awakening coming to the church will center around the goodness and the grace and kindness of the Father.”

Mel Wild challenges misunderstandings of the true nature of Jesus and our identity in Christ. He challenges everything that doesn’t reflect the Father’s heart of love and grace toward all his children (all of humanity).

Together, Mel and I are reaching out for the spiritual orphans whether they be the prodigal or the older brother (See Luke 15). Jesus loves you all and wants to bring a liberating Love Shift into your heart and bring transformation in the best possible ways. He wants to hug the vitriol out of us all. Are you in?

Will you trust Jesus to shift you?

(Subscribe and Stay tuned for Part 2!)

ps. I referenced a video in this talk about my own personal revelation into the John 14:20 Scripture:

“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” – Jesus

Here is that video:

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