Colossians 3:1-4
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Matthew 10:28
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
_________________________________________________________
Throughout this whole experience with cancer, I am so mindful of the eternal versus the temporal. . . the spirit versus the physical. Our bodies are so temporal - they are here to house our spirits, but the spirit is the eternal part of us that must be fed, must be attended to, just as we feed and tend to our bodies.
"Impression without expression leads to depression." That's a quote from a very wise British pastor I knew, now with the Lord, and it's been a life theme for me throughout the years. This quote basically says that if you are feeling impressed to do something, but you don't express it, it will lead to depression.
Of course, many of us know what it's like to be bound by fear, insecurities, self-doubt, and the like. You may have a dream of what you'd like to do with your life, or an idea of something you'd just love to do, but....you know the story!
The dialogue in your head goes something like this:
- "Oh, those are just my ideas - that's not really God's Will...."
- "Even if I went ahead with my idea, it probably wouldn't work...."
- "What would people think if I tried that? It's a stupid idea, anyways...."
I have spent a large portion of my life mired in depression, gloom and frustration, wondering how to use my gifts....wondering why I couldn't find an avenue for them....despairing that I felt imprisoned and was blocked from truly being myself.....envying those who seemed to be doing things for God and looked confident and self-assured.....
But, ooh, look what I read this morning! This Psalm is speaking of Joseph, who was imprisoned on false charges for many years:
"...Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king's household; he became ruler over all the king's possessions. He could instruct the king's aides as he pleased and teach the king's advisers." Psalm 105:19-22
Yes, Joseph's time came, and he was finally (1) freed from prison and (2) freed up to use his gifts of administration and freed to teach those in key positions of authority - what an honor! What a responsibility! From prison to palace! From pauper to prince! From grave clothes to government! From dungeon to deluxe! And all in a few minutes, at the king's command.
That's all it takes - a word from our King, and our lives can change in an instant. But usually, what precedes that is year after year of testings, trials and tears, of character building and catastrophes, of wandering in seeming wildernesses, wondering where on earth God has disappeared to.
Sound familiar to any of you?
Now, you need discernment, here: you may have dreams or ideas you want to express, but it's not God's timing yet - you're still being formed, shaped, tested as Joseph was. Keep believing! The time will come!
Or, you have those dreams in your heart, but you're sensing frustration because perhaps you haven't taken the faith steps necessary to launch you out into your place of expression. Seek God - and maybe Godly counsel - to get a sense of which one it is.
I'll close with this Psalm:
Psalm 112
1 "Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; (not even breast cancer!)
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing."
Hang in there, weary pilgrim! Hold on, you who are despairing. Keep pressing into Jesus, you who have lost all hope and whose dreams seem perpetually on hold....deliverance day is coming, and you will see the salvation of God!
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Matthew 10:28
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
_________________________________________________________
Throughout this whole experience with cancer, I am so mindful of the eternal versus the temporal. . . the spirit versus the physical. Our bodies are so temporal - they are here to house our spirits, but the spirit is the eternal part of us that must be fed, must be attended to, just as we feed and tend to our bodies.
"Impression without expression leads to depression." That's a quote from a very wise British pastor I knew, now with the Lord, and it's been a life theme for me throughout the years. This quote basically says that if you are feeling impressed to do something, but you don't express it, it will lead to depression.
Of course, many of us know what it's like to be bound by fear, insecurities, self-doubt, and the like. You may have a dream of what you'd like to do with your life, or an idea of something you'd just love to do, but....you know the story!
The dialogue in your head goes something like this:
- "Oh, those are just my ideas - that's not really God's Will...."
- "Even if I went ahead with my idea, it probably wouldn't work...."
- "What would people think if I tried that? It's a stupid idea, anyways...."
I have spent a large portion of my life mired in depression, gloom and frustration, wondering how to use my gifts....wondering why I couldn't find an avenue for them....despairing that I felt imprisoned and was blocked from truly being myself.....envying those who seemed to be doing things for God and looked confident and self-assured.....
But, ooh, look what I read this morning! This Psalm is speaking of Joseph, who was imprisoned on false charges for many years:
"...Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king's household; he became ruler over all the king's possessions. He could instruct the king's aides as he pleased and teach the king's advisers." Psalm 105:19-22
Yes, Joseph's time came, and he was finally (1) freed from prison and (2) freed up to use his gifts of administration and freed to teach those in key positions of authority - what an honor! What a responsibility! From prison to palace! From pauper to prince! From grave clothes to government! From dungeon to deluxe! And all in a few minutes, at the king's command.
That's all it takes - a word from our King, and our lives can change in an instant. But usually, what precedes that is year after year of testings, trials and tears, of character building and catastrophes, of wandering in seeming wildernesses, wondering where on earth God has disappeared to.
Sound familiar to any of you?
Now, you need discernment, here: you may have dreams or ideas you want to express, but it's not God's timing yet - you're still being formed, shaped, tested as Joseph was. Keep believing! The time will come!
Or, you have those dreams in your heart, but you're sensing frustration because perhaps you haven't taken the faith steps necessary to launch you out into your place of expression. Seek God - and maybe Godly counsel - to get a sense of which one it is.
I'll close with this Psalm:
Psalm 112
1 "Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; (not even breast cancer!)
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing."
Hang in there, weary pilgrim! Hold on, you who are despairing. Keep pressing into Jesus, you who have lost all hope and whose dreams seem perpetually on hold....deliverance day is coming, and you will see the salvation of God!
Wendy, you are a strong woman!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best!
Thanks be to God, Ruchira...I wrote this soo many years ago but it's still true as ever! Since receiving a clean bill of health in February 2011, I've been touring Canada, doing Concert & Comedy events everywhere. I'm so grateful to be alive. God bless you!
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