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Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer, tells of a storm that caught a vessel off a rocky coast and threatened to drive it and its passengers to destruction. One daring man, contrary to orders, went to the deck. He made a dangerous passage to the pilot house and saw the steerman holding the wheel unwaveringly, and inch by inch, turning the ship out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled. Then, the daring passenger went below and gave a note of cheer: "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."
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3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
*2 Cor 1.3-5, NLT
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One gift we give others is comfort. Life for anyone, at times, is uncomfortable. We each, occasionally, need soothing.
Comfort implies strength. "Comfort" derives from the Late Latin confortāre, "to strengthen." Comfort brings us renewed confidence and strength to face life and share life. Often a brief word of encouragement, even a smile, steadies us to continue on, and not give up.
God is the Source of all comfort, for all good exists in fullness in God. We simply share as a portion of that fullness flows through us outward into the world.
The Psalms are filled with testimony to the comfort divine Love gives. This is a reason many persons love the Psalms so much.
When I felt my feet slipping,
you came with your love
and kept me steady.
And when I was burdened
with worries,
you comforted me
and made me feel secure.
*Psalm 94.18-19, CEV
When we open to the Inner Spirit, we can receive amazing assurance that all will be well. When we live close to the Heart of Love, we will become more like that Heart, and we will grow in offering encouragement and relieving sorrow. We will be the Christ Presence to others.
Because of our relational nature, receiving comfort does not end with us. We are comforted to give comfort. How often have your found yourself given peace in a difficult time, then to be freed to be present more fullyto others who need your assurance?
Christ is the immediacy of divine Presence in us. Consolation arises from that Love. Paul knew such intimacy with the divine Love, he knew the experience of being showered with consolation. He realized this comfort arose from living intimately with Christ Within.
When we go inward to commune with God, we are present to God. Being present to God, God is present to us, and with all that makes God to be God. God is Comforting, this means divine Love is the Source of assuring us that all will be well.
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1) Share an experience of divine Presence consoling you during a discomforting time?
2) How do you bring comfort to others.
3) Do you know someone needing consoling, now? How might you help bring comfort to that person?
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Opening story is from sermonillustrations.org ; etymology of "comfort" is found at dictionaryreference.com ; based on Random Houe Unabriged Dictionary (2006).
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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