2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
The real sin lay in thinking that any power to help and transform came from me. Of course it was not my wholeness, but Christ's that made the difference. ~Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place
Inspired by a fellowship of Christian bloggers whom I follow, I ordered the classic book, The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom. These bloggers are participating in timed-release reflections upon the most inspiring content of this beloved memoir. I have two confessions to make: First, I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it, and secondly, I know I'm way ahead of them in headlining the quote above. But it's all about forgiveness, is it not? And knowing them, their forgiveness will be graciously given.
When I read these words penned by Corrie, a passage from my soon to be released novel, Redemption, leaped out at me, words spoken by Reverend, True Owl of the Old Ones. He has overcome times of trial and times of temptation, yet still, as we all do, he stumbles and falls, forgetting that the Creator is the only One who can truly heal.
As Scout and Sharp-eyes told Reverend about his encounter with a dying Ronnie on the hillside, the owl shook his head morosely, and a tear escaped down his feathered cheek. "Pride," he said. "The worst of sins, and I stand guilty as charged. I thought I could do something to help, thought I was powerful enough in and of myself to succeed in what I attempted." He took a deep breath and continued. "You would think after all my many, countless years as an Old One that I would have known better. There is nothing outside of our Creator which can be done against such evil. How could I have forgotten?"
How do any of us, at any time and place, forget?
How do any of us, at any time and place, forge ahead in our blind conviction that we are enough in the moment? That we can do it all?
The truth? We can't!
It is only Christ who makes the difference.
May we all remember that God's grace is sufficient.
May we leave it, gladly and gratefully, at that.
~
Have you had moments in your life where you have second-guessed God, thinking your solutions were the answer to a problem?
Prayer: Father, may You use our weaknesses to perfect Your strength in us. We cannot be transformed without Your grace. Let us always know this, and turn to You at every moment in our lives, for Your grace is sufficient. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Martha, I don't know how many times I have "stepped in stuff" by thinking I had the solutions to what ails me or other people. I thought I could "help" but only found out I hurt instead. I am not the healer; God is. Wish I had known that sooner before I blew people away and tried to take the glory.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone, Bill. We've all made this mistake of grabbing the reins and trying to control the ride. It's a difficult lesson to learn, but definitely one worth learning!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! I have read this book, and also seen the play. It's so powerful! It's hard to believe the gift of forgiveness and healing that this woman possesses even in unimaginable pain.
ReplyDeleteIt can only be God working through her. I just pray that God will move and heal me too, so I can be His instrument in His world. I am not enough.
Blessings,
Ceil
I know, Ceil, what an amazing woman of faith Corrie was! May God work through all of us that we might fulfill His purpose for our lives here on earth.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, there is a situation in our family right now that I have tried more then once to fix. When I am not trying to fix, I love instead, it seem to be a better solution to my worry and contentment. this lesson is always in a progressive mode...every learning.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things I'd like to fix in my family, too, Betty, but sometimes we need to simply sit back, pray for them, and love them like you said. God can do the fixing!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, there is a situation in our family right now that I have tried more then once to fix. When I am not trying to fix, I love instead, it seem to be a better solution to my worry and contentment. this lesson is always in a progressive mode...every learning.
ReplyDeleteMartha, I've attempted to get ahead of God many times or tried to fix stuff that I had no business trying to fix. It lead to great frustration for me. I learned that I simply need to sit back and let God work in His own time. I'm planning to read "The Hiding Place" some time this year (it's a copy that belonged to my grandma). I also have some vague (very vague) memories of seeing the movie at church (I would have been quite young!).
ReplyDeleteAnother great post!
Love and blessings!
I'm so glad you're planning to read The Hiding Place, Kim. You won't be disappointed, I assure you!
DeleteAnd I think we've all had those experiences of thinking we can fix things on our own. We have all, at some time or another, been in Reverend's shoes, or should I say talons. :) May we ever remember to let God work in His own time, as you said.
Love and blessings!
Martha, I've attempted to get ahead of God many times or tried to fix stuff that I had no business trying to fix. It lead to great frustration for me. I learned that I simply need to sit back and let God work in His own time. I'm planning to read "The Hiding Place" some time this year (it's a copy that belonged to my grandma). I also have some vague (very vague) memories of seeing the movie at church (I would have been quite young!).
ReplyDeleteAnother great post!
Love and blessings!
Corrie is such an inspiration, humble too. I still remember and am inspired by many of her stories. I too struggle with thinking I am in control. Corrie calls that a sin? wow that sure puts new light on my ego. Ouch
ReplyDeleteI know, Jean! Seeing it as a sin sure does put an entirely different perspective on it. As I read The Hiding Place, I thanked God for the inspiration Corrie gave to this world through her Christian witness.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Many times Martha and guilty of it too! But yes, He knows the best for us all ways and always!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Privy, our heavenly Father always knows best! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm learning to get out of the way and surrender Martha. It's easy to forget with the problems of the world that there's a divine Creator who is standing by. We don't have to do it alone and we don't have to have all the answers. It's not that i second-guess God - sometimes I forget that He has the solution in the first place:) A good reminder and prayer as always. Amen!
ReplyDeleteYes, Vishnu, we are all guilty of forgetting that our sovereign God has the solutions and answers in the first place. It is all about getting ourselves out of the way and letting Him work His will! So happy you prayed with me, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!