Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Dearest God,

I held a rosary in my hands, my right hand holding the crucifix. I prayed, "O Lord, let the power of this cross leap from my hand to my heart and spirit." I wondered in my mind, "Can this really happen?" And then words began coming like a flash flood. What is the value of a symbol if it does not convey the power of what it represents?

My life lesson today is to trust in this power to overcome. My trials are not a test to my faith but rather to my ability to trust. Am I worthy of this God who knows my life journey? My difficulties are not about whether God can be trusted but rather about my own trustworthiness.

Every trial teaches me more about Christ, about faith. As I find myself in a rocking boat during stormy weather, the waves rising higher and higher, am I prepared to ride the waves knowing my destiny is tied with Christ's desire to ride them with me? A rocking boat tossed up and down, side to side is the greatest opportunity to show my trustworthiness. When the storm passes and I find that I have held on, weathered the storm, then I prove my faith is real, forged through trials where I put every resource to full use. Has Christ provided everything I needed for the ride? Absolutely! Am I ready for the test that will show my faith?

I have known Christ in the storm for he has been with me. Together we have withstood every threatening force. We have faced the storm. We have practiced our faith. We have shown our trust. We have trusted; we have overcome. We have conquered every power that has threatened to destroy us. And together we have shouted for joy!

What a privilege to be able to use every resource at my disposal. I have so many tools at my fingertips: bravery, courage, hope, compassion, mercy, love, determination, endurance and perseverance. I have the ability to see through the lens of faith. I get to see through the eyes of Christ. I get to use the raw courage exposed on the cross. I am enabled to trust ever more deeply.

When dark clouds begin to gather and I know a storm is brewing, I have time to prepare. I gather my resources, drinking from the well of living water, eating from the heavenly banquet table. I am able to muster my courage, not just my own but also the courage that strengthened Christ to walk the road of death, hope and love.

When I breathe in the life storm, I am breathing the breath of Christ, an air that is pure and holy. I am invigorated by all that is God. Not only am I enabled to pray for myself, I am empowered to pray for the storm itself, for those who have created the storm, for the power behind the storm. I am infused with a heavy-duty reminder that storms will have their day, for you have allowed storms to roll in. But then they are gone, rolling back out to sea. When the gray gives way to blue skies, I am able to give my report. Only then am I able to sing: "It is Well with my Soul, Amazing Grace, and How Great Thou Art." After the storm clouds have lost their threatening power, at the end, the glorious end, I take a new look at myself. Have I been faithful to the challenge? Have I cried out: "Christ is my strength, my power, my courage, my hope, my love, my joy?"

After the storm I am stronger, more joy-filled. I know the trust it takes to believe and proclaim, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” I have an opportunity to rid myself of any residual resentment for the storm because the storm gives me the chance to reveal my faith and love for Christ. Not only am I stronger and more joy-filled, I am more open, more faithful, more compassionate, and more trusting not in myself but in the One whose death on a cross has been victorious one more time!!!

Life situations will always come, tilting my world. Gray clouds will threaten, rain will fall, lightning will strike; the skies will rumble showing its muscle. And I will be tempted to be afraid, to hide from the storm. But as quickly as the temptation gives rise to fear, faith will emerge to fight for me. And what is this faith if not the power of the cross, revealing a life-long relationship with Christ?

Faith can be with me for just a split second or for longer, a minute, an hour, an afternoon. Or it can take up permanent residence in my bare-bones soul. When I trust, really trust in Christ, he remains as close as my breath. When my trust gives way to fear, I move away from this divine source. I can’t see his face or hear his voice. The sound of choppy waters makes my faith seem so far away. When I suddenly hear my own whining because life just got hard, I kick into gear and resume my trust in this rescuing savior. I feel him near once again and trust returns.

My battles are not over. Some have ended; some are just beginning. But the conflict is not just my own. Christ is in the battle with me. And faith is alive, its source in the wonders of heaven.

O God,
Lord of heaven
and earth,
you have instilled
within every one
of us
the ability
to rise
to the occasion
of trust
and faith.
You have
armed us
with every tool
of heaven.
You fill us
not just
with tools
but with
your very self.
When we are
filled with you,
we are united
in a way
that gives
incredible strength,
lively determination,
and enormous perseverance.
What can
we finally say?
We allow
your spirit
within us
to cry out
in acclamation,
"Holy Lamb
of God,
to you
is due
all praise
both now
and forever.
Hallelujah!

Love, Andrea