Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“…since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (4:1 NIV)
“Since God has so generously let us in on what He is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.” (4:1 MSG)
Wherever You place me, each time You place me into some sort of ministry role — whether it’s interpersonal, vocational, short term, long term — the main point is that it’s YOU who supplies the role and it’s YOU alone who can sustain me in that role until You’re done molding and shaping me through each season of service.
“But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.” (4:7 NLT)
All that I am comes solely from You, Father. You are my Maker. My weak body is not a sign that You made a mistake; rather, because there are cracks in this jar of clay, Your light within me can shine through. Even light poking through cracks can illuminate a dark room … Just as Your light in me can help others I encounter to see You more clearly, and can bring understanding of You and Your longing for them to know You intimately. Here I am, Lord; use me as Your vessel.
“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” (4:16-18 MSG)
Thank You for unfolding Your grace before me, toward me, around me, and in me EVERY day. How amazing to consider what You have in store for me, Father. Certainly, what You have is far greater than anything I could imagine. Just the thought of getting to be with You is a hope that spurs me onward. Keep on molding me. “Take my heart and form it. Take my mind, transform it. Take my will, conform it to Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord.” (from “Holiness” by Vineyard Singers on More Love, More Power) Whatever it takes, Lord, make me just like Jesus. Amen.
Kat Scratchings 