The reason I created a blog was to reflect spiritually on life and share my thoughts when I read the Bible. I have a record like a diary and the control from google to allow people to read my blog by invitation only. So far, it's been more diary than Bible reflections. My goal would be to write at least once a week reflecting on a Bible verse. Really, it's just an outlet for me to pray. I liked the concept of writing my reflections, but was not motivated to write in a journal. God planted a seed in my mind to blog, and here I am.
After 2 or 3 weeks away from Harbor, I was excited to attend the good word today. The scripture we looked at was Philippians 3:15-4:1. Here is what caught my attention 3:18-4:1
"many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await our Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
The undertone of this passage is forgiveness and that is something, at times, I struggle to wrap my pea-brain around. I'm forgiven, but I still sin. God's grace is just unfathomable. I don't deserve it, but I have it. Now that I'm typing, everything seems pretty clear. Simple, even. The people with their mind on earthly things reject God. While I had rejected God, I now embrace Him. I try to live according to His will and constantly ask Jesus to help me. After all, he's already done it perfectly. I do things imperfectly. What I find fascinating is that at times my stomach is my God and my mind is on earthly things. I repent and ask for strength. I acknowledge the error in my ways when I am aware of them.
The second point I found interesting is that we can stand firm in the Lord by waiting. Sounds passive, right? We aren't sitting, twiddling our thumbs; we are waiting in faith. Jesus nourishes us, giving us the strength to wait and to persevere. To serve, to love when we are tired, selfish, and hateful. To point the way to Jesus. I have a really hard time loving people when they cut me off in traffic or leave their blinker on after changing lanes; however, I try to spend less time stewing over it and remember that sometimes *gasp* I leave my blinker on after changing lanes.
Waiting means we need patience. In this "gotta-have-it-now" society? Right. Patience. I like how Paul tells us to wait, because he talks as if it will happen. It will happen, and it's worth the wait. We won't be sinful, lowly bodies forever. I do not know what it will look like when we have the kingdom of heaven here on earth, but I'm willing to wait in faith. And that faith brings me joy that is difficult to waver.
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