Jeremy Camp - The Story's Not Over Devotional Series Sample

 2. Dead Man Walking

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-7 (NIV)

“I was a dead man walking, until I was a man walking with You.” 

Freedom and peace never came to me when I was walking away from the Lord. I battled with anxiety, feelings of guilt, and shame. I felt like I never measured up. Even though I was doing things pleasing to flesh, it wasn’t ever satisfying. I looked to alcohol and relationships to make me feel secure and better about myself, but I only found true life and peace when I surrendered everything to Christ. We can obviously exist without Christ, but not until we walk closely with Him can we understand the fullness of what life really is. There was a deadness in my heart, and I felt like I was spiritually blind stumbling around, until God opened my eyes and I realized my deep need for His love. I realized He was the only one who could truly fill my heart.

Oftentimes we tend to look for what’s next, thinking perhaps the next thing will satisfy, but when you get what that “next thing” is, you’re left feeling empty. You either keep going constantly trying to find the next thing after that, or we can run to Jesus, the only true source of life that can satisfy. When we drink from Him, we quench our thirst.