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Today’s Scripture ~ Colossians 1.11 (CEV)
His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.
Wisdom Story
A collector of moths got a living chrysalis, which he retained in his conservatory in winter. In spring, seeing the struggle of the moth to free itself, the collector decided to help by making a slight incision in the enclosing sheath. Soon a beautiful Great Emperor moth emerged. The happy collector put the creature on a shelf, so it could gain strength to fly. The moth did not fly. The muscles of its wings had not developed. The collector’s good intentions had robbed it of the opportunity to develop its flying capacity, which could only be done by its struggle to emerge from its cocoon.
Comments
The wisdom story reminds us of one lesson regarding growing stronger. We develop inner strength by persevering patiently through challenges.
Spiritually, there is another source of strength. The All-Powerful lives within us. That inner Presence, the Essence of Power, will strengthen us in each situation, so we can “endure anything” and be “truly happy.”
These two sources of strength work together: the strength developed over time, the timely power arising within us from the immediacy of Spirit.
We can each pray for the joy that surpasses our circumstances. If the Holy Spirit’s “glorious power” makes us “patient” and “strong … to endure,” we can be joyful. This is not a psychological trick we ply on the brain, but a true resignation to the God within and our prayer for grace that transcends our natural limitations.
I myself know the natural limitations that form boundaries to strength and ability to endure. I can feel like my heart and mind are impregnable. Then, something can arise, sometimes simply a mood swing lacking definition as to cause or an afflictive emotion arising from a situation that recalls a past painful episode, and I can be thrown on my own resources, quickly losing peace and joy.
Possibly, we have to be thrown against the limitations of our own inner resources repeatedly, until we learn more willingly and readily to admit we need God’s Grace and to trust the Spirit of Christ to enable us inwardly not only to endure but to rejoice. When we can, beyond our natural limitations, discover Grace to endure and rejoice, we have given ourselves to a Love that cares perfectly for us and wants only the best for us, inwardly and outwardly.
Suggested Reflection and Spiritual Exercise
Is there some area of your life you need to surrender wholly to God, asking God for strength to endure and to rejoice? If so, now is the time to pray, surrendering to God and asking for Grace. Allow God to intervene. What is challenging you may not be resolved, but you can discover and enjoy joy where you once were unable to rejoice.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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