Don't you hate it when you discover one of your favorite cd's (that you somehow forgot to download to iTunes) is scratched beyond repair? Not even a good flush in the toilet can fix it. The huge scratch just happens to rip through the best part of the best song? So instead of the beautiful crescendo of instruments and voice, you get a "whig-it, whig-it, whig-it" sound? Or just the beginning of a word over and over and over again? So frustrating.
You will have to endure something similar to the likes of that in this next paragraph.
The Lord has brought back, once again, once again, once again..oops, sorry about that...let me fix it...there we go...to a text in Scripture that I am clinging to right now.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
I am enduring something that seems as if it has the power to crush me. In weaker moments, I even feel a teetering towards despair. My heart feels not only struck down but about to be obliterated into a million pieces.
I want to resonate with 2 Corinthians 4:7 - 10 to the very depths of my core but am having a hard time. Maybe it's because the "treasure" I carry has not been my treasure. Perhaps I have set my hope, my expectations, my desires on something else...on a treasure that can't stand the weight of being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted or struck down.
Lord, help me to make You my treasure. Help me to carry in my body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in me...so that though I endure something that should crush me, that should drive me to despair, that should leave me forsaken, that should destroy me, the redeeming power of Christ's risen life would rise within and sustain me. To the glory of your Name.
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26 comments:
beautiful prayer Lauren. We are with you, praying this for you also.
Thank you so much for this post. It really spoke to my heart today.
You are a stranger, but a sister. I am greatly encouraged by the way you are choosing to pray about this, and what you are asking of the Lord. I will pray for you as well ...
love this.
praying for you, love you.
You have been on my mind and heart lately. I will be praying for you in this time. Keep your head up. Blessings and miss you terribly.
Elizabeth
Lauren, Thanks for sharing this. Praying with you.
Thank you for your post, it was really encouraging. I needed to hear that.
I am so sorry to hear that your sweet heart is enduring something so hard. I will be praying for you.
We are with you too, praying with and for you all...Even at 3:00a.m.:)
Love You,
Keri
Lauren, I saw your blog on K.Everett's. We met several years back when I was in her wedding and your husband spoke. Just wanted you to know that your experiences in ministry have encouraged me where we are in life ... Thank you! Grace upon Grace!
Hey there, it was fun seeing you last night, that doesn't seem to happen too often! Beautiful blog though Lauren, We love you guys and are really praying for you!!
"those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy, he who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." ps126.
I'm so glad we do have a hope.
I am grateful that I see Him in you...that this is only a season.
I'm praying for you, and love you so much!
God is with you:)
oh lauren, I am with you sweet friend. What a beautiful word. Praying for you.
Hey! I've been thinking of you alot. Let's get together...much to discuss:) Love you!
"I will offer Him my prayers, my sighs. I will pour out my heart to Him. Even in their distractedness, inconsistency and deficiency, I can be confident that my prayers rise to Him like incense." (E.Elliot)
Hey Lauren, my hubby and I love the Village but live in Nashville, TN. This post was EXACTLY what I needed tonight!!! We are in the middle of one really difficult adoption....and another amazing adoption of little girls from Guatemala. Satan has pulled out all of the stops. I have tried so desperately to cling to this verse....praying for you tonight!!
Blessings,
Lindsey Wheeler
www.thewheelerjourney.blogspot.com
me too...
You are not alone. May it be as you have prayed!!
just the sentiments that i feel in my heart as well today. and also the scripture that He has pointed me to as well! know that there is another sister in Christ that is walking there with you, and also know that i see BEAUTY in you and your words that only comes from the surpassing power and greatness of Him being so active and alive in you. thanks for sharing your heart at such a real and vulnerable level. unto Him we declare praises for there is no condemnation for those in Christ!
Thanks Lauren for posting this. I love you and think about you and pray everyday!
I love this scripture:
1 Samuel 25:29
"Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling!
I always think -- what would the Lord my God have in a treasure pouch?
Well, valuable jewels I think!
So I know that I am secure, because I am a jewel in HIS treasure pouch
and so are YOU!!!
Love,
Toni
Your prayer at the end of your post is so powerful and encouraging. Praying for you. :)
Lauren,
I have never met you, and I may never have the opportunity, but I found your blog through my sister's blog. I wanted to let you know that there have been so many times when the transparency of your life has resonated with my soul and God has revealed to me a very precious truth that I needed to hear. This is one of those times. I praise God for you, and for giving you a spirit that desires to be real with the world around you. You may never know how God is using you in the lives of so many people, but know you truly are a treasure.
-Cynthia
You've been tagged!! Hope y'all are having a great weekend.
Lauren, i resonate with the 'wiggity...wiggity...wiggity...wiggity...wack...' phenomenon of having that ill-placed 'scratch' right through the best part of your heart-song. Just know that something about your blogs brought a girl (me) hope today. Thank you for giving me a glimse of what it looks like to suffer well.
Aching and rejoicing with you,
Hannah
Lauren, I stumbled on your blog this morning and I haven't been able to stop reading it. Each new entry is another insight into what it really looks like to live life as a Christian woman, the good, bad and ugly of it.
I needed to read this particular entry today. In fact, I've read this particular verse several times in the past 24 hours, all from different sources. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. I love your prayer. I will make it my own. Thank you for writing.
Oh, how I love your prayer!! It is my prayer during my singleness season- Lord, help me tresure & desire you as my "husband."
Amen.
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