Thursday, May 14, 2009
Incense of Surrendering
How many of us dream of walking through fields, where fragrant flowers and soft grasses yield easily to our passing? Where the sky is an unforgettable blue, and there is not a cloud of care upon the horizon? I have had times when life's journey gave off an incredible incense that could not be imitated, nor recreated. For example, the fragrance that each child of mine had when I first held their tiny face to mine for the first time. Each child beautifully different and forever memorable. There are times, such as these, that bring smiles to our faces when they are thought upon.
Also, there are times throughout life's journey that seem difficult and devastating. It is during these times when the words of Paul echo through my mind and come to me as a gentle breeze to a labored heart. Found in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 (Amplified Bible), the words of Paul can be your own...
...we possess this precious treasure {the divine Light of the Gospel} in {frail. human} vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
We are hedged in {pressed} on every side {troubled and oppressed in every way}, but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
We are pursued {persecuted and hard driven}, but not deserted {to stand alone}; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the {resurrection} life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death. (verses 7-11)
...Therefore we do not become discouraged {utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear}. Though our outer man is {progressively} decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being {progressively} renewed day after day.
For our light, momentary affliction {this slight distress of the passing hour} is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory {beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!}
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal {brief and fleeting}, but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. (verses 16-18)
I encourage you today to cleave to the words written by the Apostle Paul and lived out by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. Allow your life to release an incense of surrendering as you cast all your cares upon the One that cares for you. Always remember, you are never alone...never. ~Joey
