The Messy Table (Part 2): A 7-Day Bible Plan For WomenSample

Shanna Crawford
The Transforming Power of God’s Word

As a new Christian, I walked into a strip club for work just as I had almost every night for the previous four years. It had been a year since I had given my life to Christ after taking a Bible from a friend’s house and obsessively reading it. I was changing on the inside but not much seemed to be changing on the outside. I was still living in a deep, dark lifestyle. The difference was, I now had hope. Eternal, living hope. 

Now that I had entered into a relationship with Christ, I would pour out my heart to Him in prayer, in worship, and through writing. I read His Word constantly. Yet, I was still stuck returning to the darkness of those clubs night after night. I knew I was saved but my soul was crying out for more. 

Then something happened. One night, I was reading the Bible and came across John 10:10 that says, “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy but I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” The next day I went to work. As I walked on stage something was different. I felt naked and ashamed. I knew I wasn’t created for this. I felt the weight of the spiritual darkness all around me. 

As I stepped off the stage, I saw something. A small silver cross was on the floor. I picked it up and stared at it. The verse I read the night before come flooding back to me. In that moment the Lord whispered to my heart: “I not only died on the cross for your salvation, I died for you to have an abundant life. I died for you to walk in the light. You are free to leave this life of sin.”

Twenty-one years ago, I walked out of that club and never turned back. That was my first step toward living free in Christ. In that moment, a stronghold was broken by the power of His Word through His Spirit. Since then I have continued to dive in and devour His Word. As my mind has been renewed, I have been transformed into a new creation. 

Regardless of a tainted past you may have or one that doesn’t have the baggage that mine did, God has more for you. He has an abundant life in Christ waiting for you. Step into it. You’ll be so glad you did.

Table Questions:

1.     Are you in God’s Word daily?
2.     What stronghold is holding you hostage and needs to be broken in your life?
3.     What step of faith do you need to take towards freedom?