Like Fragile Clay Jars

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (NLT)

As at the dawn of creation where God first brought light to the darkness (Genesis 1:3), so also He brings His divine radiance and strength to our fragile hearts through the life and teachings of Christ Jesus.  Such a wondrous imbuing not only serves to grant us comfort and peace in times of trial, but makes any efforts to share His gifts more clearly of heavenly inspiration.

Condemning Ourselves…

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?” – Romans 2:1-3 (NLT)

Just as Jesus warned us against the hypocrisy inherent in casting judgment on others (Matthew 7:3-5), the Apostle Paul reminds us in his Epistle to the Romans that when we look to the sin of those around us, we are in fact condemning ourselves in the process.  We all sin, and we all need the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior to cleanse that corruption from us.

Intentionally In His Presence

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” – Mark 1:35 (NLT)

Just as Jesus awoke early to commune with His Heavenly Father, so should we all make time each day to spend specifically with Him.  Every moment spent intentionally in God’s presence strengthens our relationship to Him, and draws us that much closer to His desire for our lives.

Out of the Valley

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

“I’m a failure Father.

I’ve failed my family…

I’ve failed my friends…

And I’ve failed You…

I’m so sorry Lord… Please forgive me.”

Those words hung painfully in the quiet presence of the sanctuary at Ewell’s-St. Paul last Tuesday evening as I knelt at the altar, while the joyful sounds of children enjoying Vacation Bible School in the rooms below brought contrast to the silence.  Tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I looked up at Hofmann’s painting of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, realizing in anguish how distant I felt from You right at that moment.

The world had come crashing in around me; laying waste to the essence of my being with such force that I scarcely knew what direction to turn.  I felt beaten, and worthless, and in the midst of that weakness the enemy found me…

“You’ve let everybody down…

You’ve squandered the opportunities God gave you…

You’re a failure.”

And yes Father, at that moment I believed it; every whisper, every word.

I was ashamed Lord…

Ashamed of my impotence to resolve the current crises, but even more so that I believed myself unworthy and was unable to lay them at Your feet.  I’d separated myself from Your presence, and in that valley realized the true depth of my limitations.

I’d lost Your voice Father, and felt isolated and alone in my pain; defined not by my heavenly inheritance, but instead by my fragile humanity.

And yet, as I have so many times before Lord, on that altar covered in tear-stained apologies I began the journey out of that valley, and back to You.

No booming voice came from the sky to direct me…

My struggles and pain weren’t instantly silenced by Your divine hand…

And my heart still ached from the perception of my failings.

But kneeling in the quiet,

As the fading light of dusk gave life to shadow,

I knew that You were with me…

And that You still love me.

So with that truth as my guide Lord, I reach for You; climbing out of the valley one step at a time until Your heavenly light banishes these lies from my heart, and I’m reminded that I’m not defined by my worldly perceptions of failure, but instead through the love of my Heavenly Father.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Just Love Them…

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

You know Father, I’ve very much come to enjoy our morning discussions as I make my way into the office each day.  That period of quiet communion, when I’m able to open my thoughts and heart to You have provided a great many insights on Your perspective and will for my life…

And this morning was no exception.

My head was a noisy place today Lord, with threads of thought shooting off in a seemingly endless variety of directions…

Most of them not happy ones.

As we’ve discussed many times in recent months Father, my struggles and trials have been quite formidable this past year.  And although Your hand has guided me surely through each of those challenges, new and more daunting issues seem to always swoop in to take their place.  It’s been a time of great frustration for me Lord, as You well know.

And on today’s commute, my mind was engaged full-tilt in dealing with it all;

The constant barrage of struggles I face in keeping my business alive during a bad economy…

Seeing a good many friends and family members dealing with painful, hurtful and difficult situations…

Straining each month to make ends meet, only to have additional unexpected expenses show up…

And each day running into more and more people who choose to unleash their anger, fear and frustrations on those around them…

“Just love them…” You whispered softly.

My mind went quiet for a moment as Your words lingered on my heart, but my ire still wasn’t ready to let go just yet:

“But Father, I’ve got enough problems of my own… Really?”

“Phil, Just show them My love.”

And then the light bulb went off.

I wasn’t facing my struggles alone, and they didn’t have to either.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

The anger, the fear and the frustration I’ve been feeling and seeing manifested in others all stems from a basic disconnect; the parting of our hearts from Yours.  We’ve allowed the world to set our boundaries, not remembering that in Your divine company, no such impediments exist.

I get it Father.  I shouldn’t be allowing the stress of this world’s burdens to overwhelm me…  They aren’t mine to shoulder.  The more I release my angst and place my faith and trust in You, the more of my efforts and energies can be directed to bringing that compassion and caring to others;

The less of me I cling to Lord, the more of You I share.

Such a simple, fundamental truth Father, yet one with powerful roots to grow from.

Help me Lord;

To place aside my doubts and fears and truly embrace Your presence in my life…

To remember that as I carry my worldly cross, You carry me…

And to channel the care and compassion You so freely offer to those in need…

And “Just love them…”

All these I pray in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

~Phather Phil