“A thorn was given me in the flesh.” 2 Cor 12: 7
Paul was so exhilarated by his spiritual revelations from God that God had to send him a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from being too elated. Spiritual highs are always a risky thing. New converts sometimes are so excited about the new life they have found that when the excitement begins to diminish they feel they are losing their faith. Feelings and faith are not the same thing. The substance of faith is trust in Jesus Christ, not excitement. Excitement in the name of faith takes the emphasis off Christ and puts it on our feelings. The deepest moments of faith without excitement may be those quiet moments of reflection on the word of God that sustains us even when life is dull and unexciting.
What we need in place of excitement is the grace of God at work in our lives. That means, God at work in us, for us. Grace is the free gift of life in Christ. Life in Christ may not always lift us out of the dullness or the difficulty of life. Life in Christ at times looks the same as any other life that is wholesome and decent even among non-Christians. God’s grace to his people is the gift forgiveness. God’s grace to his people is the gift of companionship with God in highs or lows. God’s grace to his people is the gift of knowing that life is not ours to conquer, but ours to live in peace and joy. God’s grace to his people is the gift of knowing that whatever we do we are the Lord’s.
God’s grace is sufficient! It is enough for all we need to live today. Tomorrow, God will supply grace to live that day as well through Christ our Lord who lives in us.
Prayer: Lord in highs and lows be there to sustain me in my love and trust in you through Jesus Christ. Amen
Pastor Eyer 