Survivor
These few verses are so packed with AMAZING stuff. Reading about these new believers in Thessalonica, I couldn't help but feel, I guess excited. These words have become so much more alive to me in the last few months. I have experienced this....Joy.....in suffering and power....in His words. Is it even explainable in words? I know if you've felt it you'll know what I mean. It's only something to be found in the suffering. I can't help but think that we have an active role in it. We can't just think that the awareness of this joy will come on it's own. I mean maybe it's our perspective in the suffering which allows the Holy Spirit to lay it on us. Is it the desperation of a broken person crying out to their savior? Is it the power of seeking His words and not the advice of well meaning friends? Is it the place that suffering brings our prideful self, where we know there is little to none that we can do to help our situation? Is it when we can only find solace on the ground in front of our King? It's here that He finds HIS child and wraps His spirit around you in loving embrace. It's here in the suffering that suddenly you feel....an unbelievable emotion, Joy.
We have in our hands an unbelievable power. We are His and He is ours. These words, in this passage are ours, this power of His Holy Spirit is ours. If we believe His words and live them....we unleash an unstoppable power in the lives arounds us. Our lives are a living testimony to what we truly believe. I can't help but think of how ineffective my testimony has been at different times of my life. How can I expect anyone to believe my love for Christ, if they are not seeing a radical, faith-filled, service- oriented, hope-expecting life?
Created over 2 years ago
