Clothed in Suffering?
My dear old mom was wont to repeat to her persistent and untidily clad son, that he may not be too slow to learn:
clothes maketh the man.
To the Christian who has been clothed in suffering:
whilever you wear its mantle you become needier of the Lord and closer to Him, than he who remains at ease.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. He has been since the day I submitted my all to Him. It was then I gave Him unconditional permission to do His mighty work in me. This perfection Jesus will work through pleasure or pain. He won't relent, for Jesus intends to finish His good work to my benefit and His glory.
(HMM ... note to self: must apologise for giving Him such a difficult and enduring task.)
The quicker I yield myself to the truth of Jesus' ownership of me, the slower and lighter His rasp will glide across my soul.
The crucified life is the safest of lives because it removes me from me.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"Nothing of God's heart has changed since Eden, He still wants to be present in His creation and with His creation." ~ Michael Cartwright
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