I guess my title really says it all, but my husband and I have been reflecting on this statement for quite a while now.
Needless to say, we are not there.
People will continue to behave in irritating, irrational, hurtful or just plain thoughtless ways.
When I become irritated, irrational, hurt or just plain astonished by this behavior what I am beginning to see is that the places in my heart that I thought had been transformed by the Holy Spirit are really just chinked and patched with self-righteousness.
So when those chinked and patched places have stress placed on them holes begin to appear and I am left bleeding and astounded and surprised...
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
"Whatever is lovely...think on these things."
"...sharing in His sufferings..."
How quickly I forget!
I am not a china doll to be wrapped in cotton batting and handled carefully.
I am an empty, cracked vessel to be used and spent by the Lord.
Please transform me, Lord, so that this bad patch job will truly be replaced with You.
Then it may hurt, (You were hurt), but joy will abound!
I'm journeying to that place along with you--always in sight but I never quite reach it.
ReplyDeleteI love the title to this blog and need it to soak in my brain a little. I love what you wrote - "I am an empty, cracked vessel to be used and spent by the Lord" Oh, yes. We are empty until we let the Lord fill us up! Praise you Jesus that we can be filled to overflowing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great reminder today, Robin.
In Him,
Beth