You Lift Me Up

In the fullness of your grace
In the power of your name
You lift me up

If you don't know Him as your strength, you should. I didn't always know Him as my strength. Getting to know Him in this way changed my life because it isn't on me. I don't have to do it. I don't have to carry the weight of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, or shame. Christ carried all of that to the cross for me. Just for me, He'd have made the same sacrifice. Isn't that amazing? I mean I can see for all humanity...I might even be inclined to give my life a whole host of people but for one? Jesus would have gone to the cross for just one! God demonstrates this in the story about the shepherd and the sheep. He went in search of the one that went astray. That's who our God is. He seeks after the one that goes astray. He's after the lost and the broken, the distraught and the despairing.

I've been the lost and the broken. I've know despair. Distraught has described me accurately at times in my life. And in those places and spaces, I've been blessed to know Him enough and trust Him enough to go to Him. To let Him be the strength I didn't have, the care I couldn't give, the will I couldn't muster, and the love I desperately needed. His grace has made sacred the experiences I had that drew me closer to Him. To know that He put things in place to make sure that I'd turn 28? To know the Benz and my love and my baby love were all exactly where He had them that I might come to know exactly how powerful God is. I've watched Him use people to life me up.

He is my strength.

II Corinthians 12:2

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.

Just remember...this is still possible. Heaven is real. I've got about 8,000 babies to deliver, 100 residents to train, marriage and 4+ kids, and 2 medical schools to run between me and heaven and I'm going to love the journey on the way to my destination!


II Corinthians 12:9

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for Mystrength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

I think its a disservice that we don't often quote more than just the "His grace is sufficient" part. I love grace.....its tattooed on my leg. I believe grace is so much more than I can think or imagine. If I've thought it grace is more. It gives me such a radical view of who God is because I know my grace runs out. I know things I've done have caused me to want to walk away from myself...much less a perfect and holy God! But He's after me. He's interested in me even when I'm a complete mess. His grace endureth. His grace is everlasting. His grace made a way for me and for you way back before Jesus. When the commandments were given the design for the temple was also given because God knew we'd need a way to atone. He's been making a way, by and through grace, for His people forever. He fulfilled and completed the law by His Son Jesus, who kept the law and then became sin that I might become righteous. Grace is amazing and beautiful and terrifying all at the same time.

What I love in this particular commemorative time in my life, the season of my birth, is that same idea I was talking about earlier. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His strength being made perfect does't always look the same. Sometimes its being strong enough to alleviate someone else's suffering. Sometimes His strength is saying I need help. Sometimes His strength is forgiving something egregious.

There's grace and strength, both of God, in the same verse.

What I know is that not only His grace sufficient but He's also going to use that which I think is shameful and embarrassing and not worthy and unlikeable and unloveable and intolerable to show forth who He is. In my inability, His ability shines through. In my lack, He is my plenty. In my without, He is my abundance. When I wanted to let go, He held on. In all that I am not, He is. I love that He is.

II Corinthians 12:10

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[d]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful [e]in divine strength).

This devotional was born out of my weakness. It came to be because I needed more Jesus and less me.  Its a shining example of the fact that He's right here with me, in me, moving me and molding me, making me better by stripping away the walls I've built and exposing me for who I am so I can be who He's called me to be. I'm so grateful for my journey because I wouldn't know me like I do. I'm astounded by the way I know Him because of it. I wouldn't take anything for my journey.
Nothing.

II Corinthians 12:14

 Now for the third time I am ready to come to [visit] you. And I will not burden you [financially], for it is not your [money] that I want but you; for children are not duty bound to lay up store for their parents, but parents for their children

Yesterday I had a great conversation about kids and I spoke about how the ministry of parenting is about giving. Much like the ministry of marriage, its about what you can give.
I think this can be about much more. I think more than parents and children are people who don't know and people who do. When I consider what me mentor's given me, its a path....a way of being that yields fruit, makes me more efficient, and draws me closer to God. When I think about what I hope this blog does, its a path....a thought process that will help you consider the small ways and the gigantic ones that God moves in your life. Some say this practice I have means I'm a mature Christian. I'd say I'm in process but if you're someone who considers yourself less religious or you feel you don't have a deep meaningful relationship with God, I hope that my faith practice encourages you. I pray it does every night.