"I know who I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed to him until that Day." I have sweet memories of singing that tune with a friend as we climbed a mountain in North Carolina. Did I have any idea that 4 years later I would be singing it for my life? How simple it is to commit all to the Lord Jesus when no problems loom on the horizon and life is amazingly carefree. "But when trouble comes, oh my soul, oh my soul..."
But the words of that song continue to ring true when we walk by faith and not by sight and when darkness seems to prevail. Important words in this song and 2 Timothy where it comes from are 'that which I've committed unto him.' If I lie awake in the night fretting, have I really committed my problem to the Lord? Psalm 81:6 speaks of God 'removing my shoulder from the burden (even the cancer burden?) and freeing my hands from the baskets. I can understand removing my shoulder from the burden but my hands from the baskets?
I'm not sure what the writer of this Psalm meant but to me it means the grip my hands have on my life. Lord, you can have all this when you tear it out of my cold, hard grip.(your thoughts have become mine, Mike Wells!) Do we realize when things are spinning out of control, so that we grab onto control, we are actually out of control if we are not letting him have control? (from friend Chuck Solomon). Sort of a paradox.
So, once again, in the middle of the night, I open my hands and allow him to free my hands from the baskets full of worries, doubts, and fear and find sweet rest for my soul. We head to NY for a scan on April 7th and an injection. Thank you for your faithful friendship and constant prayers.
Joanie, What a good word for those of us who worry over our friends & attempt to carry them. We were never designed for that! What a difference in upholding them in prayer to fretting or lamenting over their situation. To uphold them is to have greater hands then ours undertaking on their behalf. It's a continual releasing unto Jesus Christ our Lord. What a beautiful picture you've painted. Thank you, Joanie!
ReplyDeleteYou know that I'll be praying for you as always!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lesson in the song for all of us. You have amazing faith and are an inspiration for all of us. My prayers and thoughts are with you on your trip to NY and always. Love, Huer
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanie, you have a beautiful spirit and are full of strength and grace in Jesus. I'm praying for you. Love ya' Grace
ReplyDeleteYou are such a faithful child of God!! Thank you for the inspiration you continue to share! And thanks for the sweet "word picture."
ReplyDelete"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13. Relating to your comments: this is a reminder that we must let go of the baskets in order to let God take our hand!!! Love and prayers for your treatment this week!!
Thank you, Joanie. You continue to be an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, to any. We await good news from NY.
ReplyDeleteWell expressed thoughts and ideas- felt like I was snuggled in bed with ya listening to you think through all of this and make some amazing sense of it all. Thanks for sharing. We love you lots!
ReplyDeletePrecious Joanie....
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insightful thoughts and faith with us. So my friend... my bible opened to Ephesian 3:14-21 as I began to think and pray for you and your family...."I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with the power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love that supasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:18-19
with love, nee
Lots of love to you Joanie! You are in my thoughts and prayers always, but especially these next couple days.
ReplyDeleteJoanie, here is a poem of Dad's that uses the phrase you quoted.
ReplyDeleteCONTROL: HIS OR OURS?
Self control is a virtue
When done by the Spirit;
But it is self in control
When done by our own merit.
Control is a mighty force,
And most are wont to lose it;
Circumstances must be dire,
If we voluntarily choose it.
It God is to take control,
We must lose control;
If we have not lost control,
We are yet in control.
If we are still in control,
We are really out of control!
Control is the last vestige
Of the reign of the flesh;
Until we come to the end of self,
Our motivations it does enmesh.
Knowing from whence it comes
Allows us to break its reign;
Counting ourselves dead to sin
Frees us from sin’s pain.
The specter of control
Is an illusion that besets us;
Until we remove its stinger,
More trouble it begets us.
Denying our right to rule and reign
Allows the Spirit to take control;
With mind renewed and life transformed (Rom. 12:2)
His filling has made us whole. (Eph. 5:17)
Charles R. Solomon
January 25, 2008
As always mom, your deep faith and trust inspires me.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a paradox...one that few ever come to understand. Yet those who do, find themselves free of all those burdens we ourselves so often believe that we need to carry. As we try, we dig the ruts deeper and deeper.. But Jesus is the one who gives us a path paved with ALL of Him. I always find myself going back to my own path, once again believing that I can forge my way ahead. Thanks again for the reminding me of the truth that it is "Not I, but Christ".
-- Love you and praying constantly for you mom! - D
"Ask the Lord to put awareness of Himself in you, and your self-awareness will disappear." from Oswald Chambers, the humiliator of all who read him and cringe at most of his writngs. Praise God that he reminds me to remember Who LIVES in me and Who died to work through me, and Who wants me to pray for others like dear sister Joanie who has been called to walk a stoney path that has drawn her and Dudley ever closer and closer to the cross. Praise God ! Dear ones, I am praying for every step of your journey,and do so appreciate any feed-back from what you see and hear from way up there, out in front. Press on in joy, sister ! He sees you and is smiling ! Amen.
ReplyDeleteJoanie - you are a true inspiration to Tom and myself. You are not tightfisted in your hands, as you open them to the suffering, and the Glory of our Lord. May the Spirit bring you comfort and peace in your travels. May the healing power of the Lord be in you and with you. Prayers, and more prayers to you and Dudley. Love Tom & Dee
ReplyDeleteDear Joanie,
ReplyDeleteI'm deeply touched by your words. You are a beautiful woman of Christ.
Sending love and praying for you and Dudley,
Jane
What an encourager you are to all of us! Thank you for the reminders to give our cares to the Lord--whether big or small. Christ is always there for us. Heb. 13:5
ReplyDeleteWe pray for God's healing and good news from NY. Love, Joyce and Ed
The words you use strenghten you also apply to my life. We all struggle in giving up control. It is just beauutiful that in your struggle you continue to help me. thank you Joanie. Your are truly an inspiration. I will always pray for you and yours Blessings, healing and strenght. Love you Always. Carmen
ReplyDelete