We need a moment

A moment where we know we are free, free because of the cross, free because He came to take my place, free from sin, all sin. Free because of the Grace he so richly bestows on us.
We can confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Savior. "I've walked the aisle, I raise my hand, I said the prayer" But have we had that transforming moment, when we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has raised me/you from the dead.
Mine came literally years later. I asked Jesus into my heart as a young girl of 8. But it wasn't until I was in my late 30's that I knew. I knew He loved me. I knew He came to set me free, that He came to take my shame, my guilt, my heavy burden. All the confession of sin over the years had somehow become a heavy bag I drug around. I confessed it, but I never left it at the cross. I just stuffed it into the sack and carried it back down the hill.
I can remember that day like it was yesterday, in my kitchen, kneeling on the floor with my head bent as sobs of grief were exchanged for sobs of joy. As God in His tenderness lifted my head as His breath of Grace settled over me. Since that moment I have known I was free in Christ. That my cloak of shame was replaced with His cloak of Righteousness. That the bag of guilt I carried around, was removed from my hands and thrown behind the cross where I could never reach it again. The fear of my past was exchange for a new story in Christ, one where I can use my past to Glorify Him, by reaching out to someone else who struggles as I did. And because of that moment where God's grace became real to me, I can point others to Him like never before.
I am so thankful for that moment.