Holocaust Survivor On Worry

 

Because she was caught helping Jews escape from the Germans during World War II, Corrie Ten Boom was sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. She survived and went on to become an inspiring writer and speaker.

There's a particular quote from her about worry I want to bring to your attention today, but first, the Amplified version:

Tormenting oneself with disturbing thoughts and anxiety can be thought of as transporting the next day's burden with this day's energy, health, fortitude, and vigor - loading oneself with the concerns of two days at the same time. It is picking up the trouble meant for tomorrow before you need to...after all, Jesus said each day has trouble enough of its own. Anxiety doesn't eliminate tomorrow's grief, sadness, or regret, it takes the supply of vitality and tenacity of today and pours it out on the ground.

Corrie said it far more succinctly and with an abundance of life experience to back up its truth.

"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

Truth is...To put it another way, it's like taking tomorrow's test before learning today's lesson.

Jesus Is THE Alpha Male

 

Leader of the Pack. The Big Kahuna. Commander in Chief. Top Dog. Jefe El Grande.

Jesus put it this way in Revelation 22:13...

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,
the first and the last.

In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul wrote...

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.

And in Colossians 1:15-18...

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Make no doubt about it, everyone and everything pales in comparison to Jesus. Does your parent love you unconditionally? Jesus loves you more. Are you in touch with your inner motivations and strengths? Jesus knows you more.

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Truth is...Because of this, I want Jesus to be my Alpha. And that should be easy, right, for Jesus to be something for me that he already says he is? It's like asking him to "be with me" when he's already said, "I am with you always."

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ on the lips of everyone

who speaks of me

Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Listens

 

Strange as it may seem, there are times when I actually think the things I write in this space have the potential to wield an eternal influence...or at least an INternal one.

But then I awake from my delusion and realize that my words having an influence on anyone's spiritual well-being isn't the goal here at all.

I absolutely self-identify with the prayer of Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ, as updated and edited by James N. Watkins:

Prophets indeed can give us words, but they cannot give the Spirit. They speak with great beauty, but they do not burn in my heart when you are silent. They give us scriptures, but only you give understanding to them. They pronounce commandments, but only you give me power to obey them. They show the way, but only you give strength for the journey. They speak to my outward actions, but only you instruct and enlighten my heart. They water, but you produce the harvest.
       Therefore don't let Moses speak Eternal Truth to me, but only you, O Lord my God. Without your words, I die and bring forth no fruit, being outwardly admonished, but not changed within. May I not only hear the Word but follow it. May it not be simply known but loved; not just believed but obeyed. Speak, Lord, for your servant listens. "You have the words that give eternal life" (John 6:68). Speak to me for the comfort of my soul, for the transformation of my whole life, and for the praise, glory, and eternal honor of your name.

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Truth is...The goal of these posts is to point us to Jesus and allow him to have his way in our hearts.

Softly and Tenderly

 

Depending on how long you've been around this blog, you may or may not be familiar with what I call prosification  -  taking a hymn or poem and translating its meaning into prose. It's meant as a way to help a modern audience understand the sometimes antiquated, poetic imagery of the songs of the faith.

Currently at the top of my To Be Prosified list is the 1880 hymn by Will L. Thompson, "Softly and Tenderly".

When I read the lyrics in preparation for prosification, I realized they didn't need to be modernized or simplified. They are perfectly understandable as is.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me. [Refrain]

O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

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Truth is...It's pretty popular nowadays to walk away from faith; saying that you've been wounded by the church or a church leader. We see the hypocrisy of those who declare with their mouths they love Jesus, but whose actions say something else entirely, and we say, "I'm done!"

Consider this: It's not any particular church that offers mercy and grace and reconciliation. It is Jesus himself, and he's not pounding a pulpit or pointing fingers. He is welcoming us home.

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.