Journeying together

Anyway, I thought I'd tell you the above because all that including the relatively tiring weekend is exactly what I was praising God for this morning during my time with the Lord. Sure, if any of you happened to be one of those poor people that I had talked to since Friday you'll have known that I wasn't exactly in the joy of the Lord then and you'll have known how much of a struggle it is for me to "think positive" and what not. This morning, I was reading Luke 7. If you've gone to read it and am wondering what on earth this has to do with my long weekend, let me explain.

I was reading through verses 1- 10 and considering that same question. Who was I in this story? Probably not the centurion and since I have a cold, I was thinking probably the dying servant. :) Bear with me. What struck me as I was praying through this short passage was that the centurion had begged Jesus to heal his servant based firstly on the fact that the servant was deserving (v4). As a servant, what right do I have to demand to be healed just because I'm a "good" servant? He goes on to explain that this servant loved their nation and built them a synagogue! Wow, that sounds pretty impressive to me. Anyway, you know the story and that Jesus healed the servant because of firstly His great mercy and because of the centurion's faith. Imagine that this centurion, speaking so highly of his servant and yet humbled himself in his recognition that he was unworthy for Jesus to see his face let alone visit his house. Similarly, as a douloid of Christ, it is amazing to think that God holds us so dear that He would humble Himself (even more so) in the likeness of Jesus who goes before us, intercedes for us, suffers for us and died for us that we may be healed and delivered from death! What a reminder for a morning like this one after a week like that one!

Reading further into the chapter, He is the Lord of life! Not only does he save us from sickness and death but upon doing so, He is life itself! And then, of course, you read about the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them off with her hair. How much have we been forgiven? From what depths has he brought us from? In realising the wretchedness of my illness, His abundant life is that much sweeter. Yes, I am tired, I am weary, I am weak but He is strong, He is mighty and He never tires! As I sit here in the empty classroom, with my flask of herbal tea (make fun all you want), there is a light that shines brighter and beyond the dull, grey skies outside and I am eternally grateful for His assuring and life-giving presence! And as a bonus, God was gracious in taking away the sore throat this morning which would've been the worst part of this cold for the loads of talking I'm supposed to be doing in today's class. :)

Praise Him for He is Emmanuel, God with us, in us and for us!