Prisons and Palaces
Philippians is an interesting New Testament book. Paul wrote it to the new believers while he was sitting in a jail cell. His future was uncertain on this earth, but his heart was grounded in the truth of God's word. He made some very strong statements to the church at Philippi. In fact, he started in the first chapter. In verse 6, Paul says, He who began a good work in you will complete it. That's a pretty bold statement for someone spending his days and nights in a prison cell awaiting his fate. What a great representation of how faith works, though, right?
But he gets more extreme in chapter 2, because he reminds Christians to do all things without complaining. Really, Paul? Do you know my circumstances? Do you know my struggle? Of course, he does not - but he knew his own. He also knew how his own heart longed to be out traveling, establishing churches, and encouraging believers. Yet, here he was spending his time locked up. So he chose to write...and not complain.
See, it's one thing for Paul to encourage us as believers to do things without complaining and to help us understand that no matter what life looks like, God is still at work in us! He had "blood on his testimony" that came from walking a hard road, carrying a heavy load, and pressing through to victory in spite of his circumstances.
Solomon shared lots of wise words. But when we read his words of encouragement, do they carry the same weight as Paul's? It's easy to say God will supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19) when you're sitting on a golden throne ruling the kingdom God gave you. But when Paul says it, we understand his dire circumstances, his heartbreak, his struggle - and we tend to take it more to heart. Our struggle doesn't make it any less true, no matter who said it, but we can relate to the struggle because of our own battles. We trust Paul when he says it, because we know he knows.
I often call caregiving the crucible of life because of the crushing it brings. Sometimes, I'm surprised by what comes out of me when life crushes my soul. Take this blog, for instance! :-) But we, like Paul, will come out still trusting God. Still believing in Him. Still waiting on Him... and that's faith, even when we don't feel like faith people. I wonder if Paul did as he sat in prison, as each long day dragged into long, dark nights - set on repeat for what felt like forever. He still penned, I can do all things... through Christ who gives me strength. And that's the kicker: trusting God for the strength we need to make each day.
Today, I'll remind myself that God meets me where I am. My soul may feel like it's in a prison cell or a palace - but God is there either way. He will continue to sustain my weary soul, carrying me as needed. My thoughts will be on the power of His words and how He's not going to change. He is still completing the work in me (you)...He is still strengthening me (you)...He is still providing for our needs...He's still keeping us and that is what truly matters. I know I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?
_____________________________________________
Affirmations for Caregivers
Comments
Post a Comment