Greetings in the name of the One who can calm the storms in our life, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Wow! our world has a particular beauty when it is “dusted” with bright white snow. I trust that all your ‘comings and goings’ have been safe and you have sensed the security of His presence. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release extraordinary peace, bubbling-up joy, and gentle grace into your being.
A teacher asked his class to list what they thought the seven wonders of the world might be today. He received a variety of answers (what would you list?) from all the class except for one girl. Finally, after some encouragement, she gave her list: “I think the seven wonders of the world are to see, to taste, to touch, and to hear…and then added – to feel, to laugh, and to love.” (Everyday With Jesus – February 25th). I can agree heartily with those…and would have to add an number 8 – “to be alive!”
This morning I have been considering a verse of Scripture: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV. Although I have quoted and sung that verse, often with great enthusiasm, the depth of what it means never fully registered until the spiritual was revealed through the physical. Many of you know that I faced some serious medical issues. I was on life-support after a heart health emergency and then had a pace-maker installed and I am rehabilitating.
On the physical side of things – I am alive and well because of a pacemaker inserted in my body…my life is not my own. I had to reach the end of my human strength. I am alive because of the competence and ability and commitment of a medical team who gave of themselves and of ambulance drivers and a loving wife who was there at the right time. The pacemaker is now going to be part of my life. I will have to have periodic check-ups and may even need to have a new battery installed.
On the spiritual side of things – when I was ‘dead’ in sin and losing ground, God’s emergency services responded with the message of the Gospel – John 3:16 was applied (emergency workers) and I responded. There was a powerful spiritual experience taking place as the transforming life of the Risen Christ took residence and brought me to life…like a spiritual pacemaker. I have been living with this “pacemaker” for some 46 years now. I have had several check-ups and adjustments and several times had to have the energy source, not a battery but the Holy Spirit, re-charged and re-calibrated to meet the demands of life.
So, I say again – one of the wonders of the world is that of “being alive and well” with God’s spiritual pacemaker indwelling my being!
Be blessed!