God does not forget the sins we ignore
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“You were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you once lived following the age of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raises us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7 emphasis mine)
They are the two most powerful words in Sacred Scripture. BUT GOD. St. Paul provides a powerful image of our condition prior to receiving Christ and our spiritual condition after living a life in Christ. The book of Ephesians reveals to us the condemnation of sin that overshadows our lives and jeopardizes our eternal destiny. The truth that all sin originates from Satan and the pit of hell is juxtaposed with the new life of freedom and grace found in Christ.
The transition from sin to grace is bridged by the powerful words “but God”. Our lives are a walking testimony to the goodness, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and truth of Jesus Christ. We are walking stories of how Christ can, and does, transform lives. Our life, on the other hand, does not always seem to be that clear cut. It is not always obvious how God works in that gap between the tough times in our life and the graces He bestows on us because of those difficulties. Sometimes all our eyes see is the void left by the storms and troubling times in our life. Our eyes focus on the despair and stress of circumstances as opposed to the beauty and blessings of the Lord.
If your eyes see only the bleak and depressive times around you, just wait for your “but God.” If your heart is broken and the pieces seem unrepairable, be encouraged that your “but God” is coming soon. If you are shackled in sin and feel the chains around you, be assured that “but God” will unlock the bondage.
It’s the two most powerful words in Sacred Scripture: But God. It’s also the two most powerful words in your story: But God. It is six letters that transform everything. Hold on, be strong, and wait for your “but God”.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
