Earthen Vessels

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. [II Corinthians 4:7]



A dear friend was declaring her faith in Christ despite things having gone "so wrong" with her children.  As an elderly Christian woman, she radiates the love of Christ.  Her children both are married to selfish human beings.  Yet despite this reality, both her children still exude Christ's love!

I venture to say that things could be worse.  All is most wrong when love is not evident.  Despite faulty spousal choices, her children glow with the love in which they were raised.  Perhaps the love comes through more strongly as it  shines despite great adversity.  Their light shines in the darkness, but the darkness comprehends it not.  [John 1:5]

My friend, your faithful parenting and prayers will show in the countenance of your children, no matter what.

Nevertheless I Live

I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.  Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.  And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.  [Galatians 2:20]


I wrote the above verse from memory, having learned it as a child.  Yet it came to life for the first time this morning. 

Christ lived 33 years on this fallen earth, only to be tortured and killed, a seeming failure of all he had done.  He had labored hard.  He was a devoted child, a responsible young adult working as a carpenter, and then a traveling missionary and leader.  It was the life that he lived in the flesh, and it seemed for naught when he died.  Yet then,  he lived. 

I have lived a half century on this fallen earth, and have worked hard.  I've been a devoted wife, a dedicated educator, and have spent years driving my kids to their commitments and classes. Some days, there is a sense of futility in all of it.   Yet, I will live.

I will live, not by my own faith, which is weak and questioning.  But I will live by the faith of the Son of God.  Christ in me.  His faith in me.  His ability to live beyond the situations which meet the eye.  He gave himself for me.  His faith is in me.  Lord, I believe.  Help thou my unbelief.