Persuaded

Well, sakes alive, Butterbean, pull up a chair right here on this here wraparound porch and be ‘a-mindin’ them there lil’ Banty chickens ‘a-wanderin’ ‘round your feet, ‘cause we’re ‘bout to be ‘a-wadin’ knee-deep into some real holy truth that’ll be ‘a-stickin’ to your ribs better’n Grandma’s hot, buttered cornbread.

John 17:3 done tells us, “Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” And right alongside it, 2 Timothy 1:12 comes ‘a-struttin’ in ‘a-sayin’, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded…” That there word persuaded is the kind o’ knowin’ that settles in your knower like a hound dog ‘a-findin’ his favorite spot under the porch.

Now Butterbean, that lil’ word know ain’t ‘a-talkin’ about pop quiz knowin’. No sir. This here is that deep down, settle in your bones, warm as a cat ‘a-sleepin’ on your lap kind o’ knowin’ that makes your soul sigh like it done found the porch swing on a cool summer evenin’.

First John 5:13 calls it ginosko. It’s one o’ them here lil’ Greek words that done sounds mighty fancy, but it jus’ means you done be ‘a-knowin’ deep in your knower that you’re a knowin’ Him, and that “Him” is really a “Who”. It’s knowin’ Who God is and Who Jesus is in that there close, personal way that says He done walks with you even when you look like a raccoon ‘a-diggin’ through the trash.

It’s the kind o’ knowin’ where your heart leans toward Him without ‘a-thinkin’, where His presence be ‘a-settlin’ over you like a warm quilt done stitched by your grandma. It’s real lived in, life changin’ knowin’ that shapes how you done breathe, walk, and face the day. That’s the knowin’ Jesus was done  ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout, the knowin’ that makes eternal life start right here before your boots ever be ‘a-leavin’ this here earth.

But some folks are ‘a-livin’ like a nervous lil’ squirrel on espresso, ‘a-wonderin’ if God still loves ‘em every time they done stumble. They panic like a lil’ goat with his head stuck in the feed bin. Yet Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies that we are God’s children.” That there is the Spirit ‘a-givin’ you the same persuasion Paul done talked about. He moves right on in, sets up house, and starts ‘a-rearrangin’ the furniture ‘til you begin ‘a-wantin’ what Jesus wants.

You may not recall the exact day you done got saved, but if you done know Him, your knower will be ‘a-hollerin’ louder than a smart-alec rooster at sunrise. If you’ve done got that there assurance, Buttercup, be ‘a-restin’ in it. Quit ‘a frettin’. Quit ‘a second guessin’. God done gave you that there peace for a reason. An’ if’n you don’t have it, be ‘a-askin’ Him to make Himself known deep in your knower, which is in the very deep down depths of your soul, where truth settles like an ol’ hound dog ‘a-sleepin’ on a porch swing.

Lord, I come a standin’ here like a lil’ junebug ‘a-sittin’ on a hot skillet, ‘a-needin’ Your steady hand. Be ‘a-helpin’ me to know You in that there deep, soul settlin’ way. Be ‘a-lettin’ Your Spirit whisper to my spirit that I done belong to You. Be ‘a-settlin’ my doubts, ‘a-calmin’ my fears, and ‘a-drawin’ me close enough so’s I can be ‘a-hearin’ Your heartbeat. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, Buttercup, that there is enough truth to be ‘a-chewin’ on till the cows be ‘a-comin’ home. Now go on and be ‘a-livin’ like somebody who done knows in their knower they’re loved by the King o’ Kings. Let that there assurance be ‘a-settlin’ over you ‘a-remindin’ you that you ain’t ‘a-wanderin’ this here world like some confused lil’ ol’ armadillo ‘a-crossin’ the highway. Be ‘a-lettin’ your heart stay steady, your spirit stay grateful, and your knower stay anchored in the One who done calls you His very own.

With joy,

Gwen