Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sunday, April 3, 2011 - All Power And No Possessions

"Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 
according to His power that is at work within us, 
to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 
for ever and ever! Amen." 
Ephesians 3:20-21
     Why did the Son of Man not have a place to lay His head, a headquarters, a haven or even a home?  He "Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine," could've exerted a smidgeon of His divine power to say "Let there be a cottage retreat for Me, with locks on the door where I may escape the needs of the masses to lay My Head on a soft pillow, close My eyes, and sleep in deep peace each night." If Jesus had owned a house, it would now be another holy relic, a shrine, a thing seen to distract from His eternal unseen glory. 
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 
2 Corinthians 4:18
     Jesus owned no house because this world wasn't His home. Earth wasn't a place to settle in and start collecting valuables and comfortable furniture to fill His house. Instead He was a traveling collector of the unseen, collecting people's souls to fill His eternal home in paradise. He left an example of learning to trust God and "see" in Him everything we need. In Christ, we're complete and completely free. Any clutter we gather requires cleaning and maintenance even as it's wearing out, but the people we introduce to Christ become new creatures who will never stop growing and who, in turn, will introduce others to the Savior. 
     Jesus left nothing material behind. He owned nothing and He took His resurrected Body with Him, leaving the borrowed shroud and linens neatly folded for the owners to reclaim. Yet, "He can do more than all we ask or imagine according to His Power that is at work within us." 
    Holy Father, please, exert Your Power in my life to break my habit of constantly praying about what is seen (the physical realm of money, possessions, and health) and what is mine. Transform my mind into the mind of Christ Who didn't need anything to complete Him or to aid Him in His mission. Open my spirit's eyes to see people who need You and fill my heart with an active compassion for them. Help me become a selfless pray-er, a true intercessor. Make me a collector of souls for Your glory.
In the Name of Jesus, Prince of Heaven Who taught us to trust God for every need, seen and unseen. 

Inspired by Jesus Calling
photo from my Italy album, homes on the Isle of Capri
     


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