Trust

When we fear, what we really expose is our own lack of trust.  We do not trust God to remain with us in suffering, to heal us, to save us.  At the first sign of danger, of trouble, of trial, we run - because we do not trust.  Likewise in our human relationships, our friendships, marriages, families there is a great failure to trust born of our own brokenness and fear.  We know ourselves to be untrustworthy, so we do not trust others.  We know our brokenness, so we know others to be broken.  But to have any kind of relationship, we must trust. To do anything else is to enter the hell of isolation, of paranoia.  We might fall and fail in trust, others might fall and fail us - but we can always forgive and be forgiven.  And no matter what, God will not fail.  He will never let you go.

Fear

Fear is the great killer of love.  But love is also the great killer of fear.  Love takes us outside ourselves, opens us to others, gives us a reason to go beyond, a purpose which over-rides the whispers in our hearts that try to hold us back.  But we are holding ourselves back because the very act of loving exposes us to pain, to suffering.  We fear the vulnerability created when we love.  Thus we hide ourselves, we run away from love, we deny those who love us.  Christ says, more than anything else, "Do not be afraid."  Yes, love will hurt.  It certainly hurt Him.  But He came through it, and He will bring us through it, into glory and joy. Don't run away.  Don't be afraid.  It is for this love that you were made.

Power

Power is made perfect in weakness.  Strength through sacrifice.  Glory in humility.

Rain

Praying in the rain this morning, I was struck by the overwhelming need of the world for prayer.  It truly became as if the world was weeping all around me, and I was so little, I could do nothing for her solace or comfort.  Prayer is like a balm for the world's wounds, because those wounds are from selfishness, sorrow, and sin.  The world needs a savior, one who can heal these things, one who is Love. Prayer begins in turning from our selves to Him, it is taking that first step away from self.  That is why the world cannot get enough prayer, we are so unwilling to step away from our selves.