Well, here it is, halfway through the second month of 2017 already. Updates here have not been frequent. With other things going on and health problems flaring up, blogging just hasn’t taken priority.
Once again, this year, I would like to share my spiritual journey with you all, and this year my health journey too. Perhaps I will post often, perhaps that will not be possible. But, my prayer is, that whatever I post will be of benefit to someone else who may be going through similar trials. “The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort… comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (From II Corinthians 1:3,4)
The title I have chosen for this year’s journey is “No Other Grace.”
“And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9a)
The Spiritual Side of Things
Questions:
As physical problems continue to be an issue in my life, many questions have come to mind. Perhaps some of you with chronic illness, diagnosed or un-diagnosed have had some of these same questions.
What about ministries the Lord has opened up? It seems like the physical issues cause the ability to minister to be hit and miss. I feel inadequate since not being able to complete what I think God wants me to do? Is it really what God wants me to do? If so, how do I fulfill it? How should the ministries God has opened up be used to glorify Him? God has not shut the doors. The doors remain open; so, for now, I will continue to walk through them.
Am I useful to others, or a drain on them? What is God doing with my life? Do I give, or do I only take (due to my condition) and drain valuable resources?
Am I being used of the Lord? These physical issues are often unpredictable – I can be OK one day but not able to do much the next. How can the Lord use me in this unpredictable condition? What way does He want to use me? Is my constant need of help, support, money, etc. (instead of me being able to give these things) somehow useful for God’s glory? If so, how? How can even this be used to glorify God?
What is God doing? What does He want me to learn? Am I trying too hard and not simply letting God have His way? Or, am I being lazy and not trying hard enough?
How do I give it all to Christ?
These are questions I want to look into this year and see how God might answer them through His word and other ways. What are some questions you have regarding how things are going in your life and how God is using these things? What have you learned from God through your trials, struggles, and answers from Him and His word? Feel free to leave a comment and be an encouragement to others by sharing what God has done for you.
Here is a song I found in an old hymnal, “Pentecostal Hymns one and two combined”, compiled and © 1894 by Henry Date). It seems like a good prayer.
No Other Grace
1. I want no other grace than Thine;
O may it fill this heart of mine,
And every impulse there refine,
Until conformed to Thee.
Chorus:
No other grace, no other grace
To help me in the Christian race,
No other grace, dear Lord, than Thine,
To help me on my way.
2. I want no other peace than Thine,
To rest me in the life divine;
Oh, may thy peace be ever mine,
Now and eternally.
Chorus:
No other peace, no other peace
To help me in the Christian race,
No other peace, dear Lord than Thine,
To help me on my way.
3. I want no other love than Thine,
For this, O Lord, my heart incline,
For this the world I would resign,
And rest my soul on Thee.
Chorus:
No other love, no other love
To help me in the Christian race,
I want no other love than Thine
To help me on my way.
4. I want no other cross than Thine,
To bear it, Lord, my heart incline,
Till crowned at last by love divine,
In immortality.
Chorus:
No other love, no other grace,
Or peace to help on pilgrim race,
I want no other cross than Thine
To help me on my way.
~Elisha A. Hoffman
Choruses edited by C. Young to better reflect the words of the verses they go with
Lord willing, next time I will share with you about some of the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects of this health journey with the Lord, 2017. Everything works together, and everything is under the control of God’s hands. What will He say? How will He direct? What will His answers be?
Until next time – God bless!