To be or not to be

For a couple of nights in o boot camp, ( a nine month group studying how to minister in the downtown of Lexington), the devotions centered around being versus doing. In John 15, Jesus makes it clear that any fruit that any of us bears is due to his work and life through us. "I am the vine and you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing." It seems that our efforts alone, won't get it done, at least in terms of lasting (everlasting) results.

How hard this is to learn. (It almost sounds 'un-American.') There's nothing wrong with working hard. (The Apostle Paul said, 'he worked more than any of the disciples.) However, it's where we draw our strength that really matters.

What does all this have to do with blogging about my own life these days. I guess it's certainly to do with the fact that as we age, let alone become ill, we have to come to grips more and more with, " not my strength but yours, Lord." (And that is not a bad thing.) The fact is that we are at this juncture learning more about trusting in Someone elses power to carry us. ( A good thing.)

I think God surely cares as much about our being as our doing...and can use us in some new, even more fruitful ways, when we have to lean hard on Him.

On a seesaw

It has been awhile since I was on a real seesaw. But I remember the feeling of trying to get it to balance. Sometimes I think my life is like that these days; I mean regarding illness. I believe the trick is to somehow hit a balance between ignoring an disease, (which is denial), and getting so wrapped up in it that it becomes our main focus, (which is obsession). There is the medical routine, the exercise, even participation in research, but it can't be allowed to take over our spirit. There is too much left to 'get wrapped up in.' I notice especially in these Spring days the golds, reds, whites and pinks of God's nature all around. I enjoy the sounds of nature and of my favorite music. The caring of friends continually touches me deeply. The love of God continues to overwhelm me. (If I have to go overboard, that would be the place to start.)

Remember the hard landing when the person on one end of the seesaw jumped off too soon? Balance is a good thing, but hard to maintain. Fortunately, belonging to Christ, we know who is balancing the other side of the board...and he won't let us down.