"If I let you in, please don't break anything" - Unknown
FRAGILE - means easily broken or damaged; not strong or sturdy;
delicate and vulnerable.This
is a trying season for us. Both of our mothers are going through
illness. I've just started an additional job. The stress and unknowns of
ministry continue. Tensions are high. Fears and frustrations have to be
resisted. Our emotions, relationships, future and even life itself are
fragile.
Whom can we trust with our vulnerabilities as we become more keenly aware of the fragility of life? We can no longer presume upon tomorrow.
"Yet
you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a
vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away." (James 4:14)
Life is fragile folks, cherish it and those you love.
The apostle Paul recognized the fragility of his life, emotions, and ministry.
Perhaps his past as a persecutor who held the lives of new Christians
in his hands, his blinding encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, or
various trials, persecutions and near death experiences informed his
wisdom about
the impact of bringing the light of the Gospel into a world darkened in understanding:
"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we
ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from
ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we
are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are
hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked
down but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue
to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be
seen in our bodies.Yes, we live under constant danger of death because
we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying
bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you." (2 Cor. 4: 7-12)
Paul knew at any time he could be called on to share in Jesus' death. He could be betrayed,
abandoned, suffer financial loss, be mocked, scourged and beaten,
separated from friends and family, suffer severe mental and emotional
anguish, be imprisoned or even killed for the sake of the Gospel.
To withstand the vicissitudes of life (the alternation between contrasting seasons/experiences), required total reliance on God's power and a willingness to die to self. We house the great treasures of God's Word and Spirit, but our flesh is weak and vulnerable.
As
we come to grips with our fragility and mortality; we can rely on the
Spirit to withstand the winds, waves and currents set to eclipse us. Remember Jesus is on your ship, navigating and directing you to the safety of His will.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:00 AM
The GREAT ROOM
SUNDAY CLASSES 9:30 AM
Youth Room
225 Wyoming Ave
Cincinnati OH 45215
(Presbyterian Church of Wyoming)
513-212-1131
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