Resurrection

We possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death. II Corinthians 4:7-11 AMP

We can see from this scripture that the Apostle Paul and the disciples were not strangers to suffering and considered it as part of their calling to follow Christ. As I have been thinking about the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Christ, I have also been thinking about how we often go through trials that feel like a death to what we once considered normal and eventually a resurrection or redemption of the situation. Although our trials are nothing compared to what Christ went through for us, the Lord allows it for a purpose. Often our flesh (carnal or sinful nature) is being pared away and the Lord is preparing us for Him to do a greater work in and through us.

I love it when the Lord does an instant healing or miracle, but often, He requires us to walk through situations, to trust Him and see Him redeem a situation little by little. My mother had a stroke the end of January, was in the hospital for 10 days and has been in a nursing home/rehabilitation center for over a month now. I went to the hospital and then the nursing home pretty much every day for over a month, until she felt comfortable enough that I didn’t have to go every day. The progress has seemed slow, but she has began to heal. She still can’t use her left hand, but is able to stand and walk short distances with assistance. I am thankful for small miracles. I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel and I believe the Lord is redeeming the situation.

Through all of this, I have learned a lot about strokes, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, insurance, etc. I have more appreciation for CNAs and what they do and I also feel more empathy and compassion for the elderly and their families that are going through these types of situations. I think I am more prepared to help others going through this type of situation now. As I said, the Lord has a purpose for what He allows.

I think what we often forget is that we are called to take up our cross and follow Christ, that suffering is part of what allows His glory to be produced in our lives and we can’t always avoid it. But when there is a death, there will also be a resurrection in one form or another. Trials help us to get our eyes off of the temporary and onto the eternal and what really matters. The Apostle Paul said the following:

For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiples through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God. Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease]. Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. II Corinthians 4:15-18 AMP

Happy Resurrection week everyone. God bless you all.

In Christ ~ Kelly Rowe