August 2 - 2 Corinthians 5: My Main Thing

Yesterday knocked me back a little. An unexpected visitor at my door brought a huge wave of emotions and sent me straight to my journal to work out the frustratingly unresolved issues.

I wish I was better at loving the unlovely. I fall woefully short in that category. But I confess it felt like a small victory that, in the heat of the moment, I kept reminding myself "This is no surprise to God. This is no surprise to God. He's using it for my good and His glory. He's allowed this." It helped me keep a lid on my swirling emotions.

Undoubtedly, there was plenty of sin in my internal reaction - pride, judgment, unforgiveness, and haughtiness - and it's not okay or understandable or justified or whatever other excuse pops into my mind. This is not who God wants me to be. In fact, He's given me His Spirit to empower me to do the exact opposite, to love by faith.

I feel like I'm having an up-close and personal lesson in all I've been reading and writing about in the New Testament this year. In this difficult situation, will I allow God to change me on the inside, or will I keep running to self-protection and anger and avoidance?

God continues to speak to me through His Word as I walk through this circumstance I really don't want to be in.

Is cheerfully pleasing God my main thing, and will it be my aim, regardless of who's standing in front of me? (5:9) 

Has Christ's love moved me to extremes, in terms of extending grace and mercy and loving unpleasant people? Is His love the first and last word in everything I do? (5:14) 

Am I believing and acting on the truth that I am Christ's representative, that I am speaking for Christ Himself now? (5:19)

Clearly, this encounter is not an accident; it's God's Providence, and He is bringing glory to His Name in ways I can't imagine. He can and will empower me to walk this path and make me more like Him.

The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. (5:17-18) 

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (1:3-4) 

And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (3:18)

Lord, may the beauty of Your gospel and the light of Your truth break through the confusion and anger that has overwhelmed me. I pray that You will be glorified as Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness flow through me to others. May cheerfully pleasing You be my main thing, regardless of circumstances, because You alone are worthy.