And if one member suffers...Philsogmanifest
Posted
by
Philsogmanifest on
2/10/2009 6:52:37 AM
- Print This - Email
This
And if one member suffers, all the members (share) the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members (share in) the enjoyment of it. (1 Cor. 12:26)
Let me start by saying, this is my first attempt at creative writing, but I believe that the Holy Spirit woke me early this morning specifically for this task. When I first opened this site this morning around 3:00 a.m.(est) I looked to see if anyone had commented on my prayer request from a couple days ago. As I read the words that my new friend and sis. in Christ, (Renew) had written it was like I was being healed on the inside, from a great wound. The shame and guilt that I was experiencing from my time away from Delve, had been lifted. As my sis. shared about her experiences while surfing this site the other day, I could began to see once again my purpose and my cause in being a part of this particular part of the body of Christ. There are things that she shared, about her time with God, that are so similar to the way things happen during my times with God, it's uncanny.
Now before I go any further, I must share with you all the history of verse of scripture that I opened with, found in 1 Cor. 12. In 1987 when I was in one of the christian rehabilitation centers that I attended early in my walk with the Lord, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about how important we are to one another. For those of you who don't know, I am a 45 year old black male, who spent 9 years in catholic school as a youth. Growing up mostly around white folks, I never experienced much prejudice. It wasn't until I was teenager that I saw first hand how divided we were, as human beings living on the same earth. Then as I grew in the Lord and as a human being, I began to see that same prejudice in the different churches that I was visiting, during my time in rehab. I can recall how confused and upset it made me feel, knowing that Jesus Christ had come here and died so that we could know that we were all the same internally. Spiritual beings created by God, created for one another. Different on the outside, yet connected by his Spirit. This is what this scripture is all about. It's not that I haven't experienced christian fellowship before, it's just that this morning I could feel a new connection with God through the words of someone I've never met. I often get frustrated with the pop-ups that come on my computer that advertise, meet this person, or online dating opportunities. It's like the whole world wants to be connected to someone else, yet we are still so divided. I believe that here on this site these walls of division are being torn down. In (Eph.2:14 amp.) the word says; For He is (Himself) our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both (Jew and Gentile) one (body), and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us. Then look what it says in verse 18, For it is through Him that we both (whether far off or near) now have an introduction (access) by one (Holy) Spirit to the Father (so that we are able to approach him). There is a lot that I have yet to learn about 1 Cor.12 and the body of Christ, but this morning through this part of His body I am living in this word. And it's because of you all. Thank you. Grace and Peace Philsogmanifest
Comments
|
|
Your words inspired me and it allowed me to hear God. I had googled a few weeks ago about how to hear God speak and came up with 'read the bible'. So I did. I got a good message. And another day I got another good message in a passage. But then I doubted, for all the passages in the bible seemed to be good...then, after reading your testimonial the other day and feeling especially lost, frustrated and crushed. I started with a scripture reference and it was good and nice. But some how I started flipping through the gospels and acts and romans and each time, I got the same message - as if it were the Holy Spirit shoving the same message over and over in my face until before I realized it it started to click. I really don't think I would have realized it was the Power of the Spirit without having read your testamonials. It has stayed with me and each time I start to emotionally and spiritually sink, I think back and know that there are powers working on my situation. (funny how emotions and sprititality often are in the same car of my roller coaster, they go up and down together, taking turns to pull one down and the other pulling one up).
God can make things happen in an instant, but some things need a journey to learn a lesson. He gave me the ablity to conceive my children in an instant, yet how quickly I forgot that it was by His workings? I think the lesson both my husband and myself need to learn needs to be something that needs to stick after the click. After weeks of praying, I am slowly getting the strength I prayed for, not the instant miricle, but I don't doubt that my husband is getting his message. I believe my miricle is in the works - like a baby taking months to be strong enough to survive, I believe God is letting this take awhile to build and be appreciated. I have stopped shoving it down his troat and trust that the Holy Spirit will lead him where he needs to go.
Without your map, I think I would still be lost trying to find signs. I had been lost for so long, and the signs were there, I just needed a way to read them.
My sincerest hope is that you do believe that God did not let you get lost. He knew where you were and when you came back, he showed you how much you meant to Him - not just in His heart, but how you are meant to to be used as one of his instuments.
Thank you so much, Thank God so much!
|
|
|
|
2/11/2009 10:31:21 AM
-
renew, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/22/2009
|
|
|
|
Praise God!!! I hope you know how much joy it gives me to read your words. I have really missed you.
|
|
|
|
2/11/2009 11:13:02 PM
-
mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008
|
If you have something you want to say about this piece of creative writing or to the author, please feel free to leave a comment here.
