blog catch-up

THE STRONGER MAN

Jesus was the stronger man because amidst oppression and injustice and physical abuse, he knew, trusted, and obeyed the will of his Father. Strength comes with his evident humility. Jesus lived a life on earth that seemed undignified. He was born in a cave with animals to unwed parents constantly on the run from Herod—a dependent, vulnerable, defenseless and at risk child. But strength is evident in people who aren’t concerned about appearing strong.

Strength is evident in those who humbly and willingly do what they are called to do with the proper mindset and attitude. In the same way, strength is best utilized when Satan has been bound. We are weak when we allow him leeway and footholds in our lives. We are also weak, not only when Satan is prevalent, but when we try to do things out of our own strength. What a relief it is to know that though we are incapable on our own, our capable through the power of Christ. It’s a daily struggle to realize and acknowledge our weakness and choose to live in the humble, selfless strength of Christ.

I AM HE

One of the most special things about Jesus is that he is a tangible expression of the Father. I love Colossians 1:15 where it says he is the “image of the invisible God.” Christ gives us a way to visualize and understand the Father. I also love John 1:1-5 when it says “in him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Isn’t it so true? When we don’t have Christ in us, we are dead. We live purposeless, hopeless, meaningless lives, but when we are filled with the spirit we have LIFE—abundance, joy, hope.

God pours his spirit on me through the avenue of people around me. It’s amazing how much I am getting to know God more as I deepen relationships with the people that love him. We are made in his image and are given specific characteristics, and when we use our gifts for his glory, we point others to him and we understand a little bit more of his character in a tangible way. I hope this is true for the kids on the houseboats—I hope that more people get to know us, the more they learn about Christ, and his character. I hope that they understand Him a little bit better because of the way we live and act.

The fiery light of Christ in me is joy in all circumstances. I remember a few years back I was told by a close friend that I’m a lot like Job—that when everything seems to be going wrong, when I am treated unjustly, when I lose things that are dear to me, I still am able to praise the name of the Lord. I know it is not my strength or power that allows me to do this but the power of the Holy Spirit, and I count it a blessing from the Lord. I am so firmly established in my understanding of his goodness that I trust everything he does in my life, even though it makes no sense to the people around me.

Knowing how passionately loved I am by the creator, the I AM, the Word, the light, the one who holds all things together, makes my heart ache. It aches because I know how unworthy I am—how sinful and broken I am. It makes me aware of how much I take for granted what he has already done for me and what he daily continues to faithfully do for me. But it also aches because I long for intimacy with him. Knowing how desperately he loves me and how he has eagerly adopted me as his child is so exciting!!