…sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich;
having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

2 Cor. 6:10

A well-crafted phrase intrigues me. It also helps me think new thoughts. Here’s one from a new-to-me resource, The Love of God, a small book from the Oswald Chambers Library:

“Watch the circumstances of life. We get them fairly well mixed, and if we are getting fairly well more than enough of one kind, let us thank God for it. It is producing the particular grace God wants us to manifest.”*

That’s a challenging thought, since attempting to identify the grace God wants me to manifest feels more like drowning in stress than in grace. Focusing on God’s grace rather than the stressor does offer me a new focus. What a relief to realize that it’s God’s task to actually produce that end result, not mine. Grace is the fruit of abiding in Christ. I’ve noticed that as I listen for God’s still quiet voice for guidance, His presence and wisdom seem to work their way into my heart and mind. Then, just as I begin to feel a tiny bit steady, the Lord brings someone into my world that needs to hear it—even while my thoughts and words are still forming.

This process is part of the reason Paul could declare that even though he was sorrowful, he had reason for rejoicing. In Paul’s physical poverty, he had gleaned spiritual truths that were making many rich with the knowledge of God’s gift of salvation. Indeed, though Paul had very few material possessions, he felt like he possessed everything he could possibly need. Paul also desired that the Colossian believers would know the mystery of God, namely Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:6 NIV). What was true for first century believers as they witnessed God work through their own life circumstances remains true for us today.

What joy to realize God remains our grace-producing-Savior for our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows.

Linda Lesniewski                                                                                                             

*The Love of God, Oswald Chambers pg. 75