A word that describes a lot of how I feel on a regular basis in my Lyme battle.
Fragile in that the days are so up and down, with uncertainty as to how anything may affect me physically, mentally, socially, spiritually- Doesn't seem to take much to cause me to get off what balance I have gotten.
In a bigger picture, having come close to death a few times in the past few years- one's fragility of life is all the more palpable.
This morning I was reading in 2Peter, chapter One. Ah, here is Peter, nicknamed 'The Rock', lovingly professing to fellow Believers about life.
In verses 13-15, we find why he is so passionate in his communication, "13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind."
Peter, The Rock, understands his fragility. In fact, he becomes a martyr for Christ- also being crucified. ( Some believe Peter chose to be hung up-side-down, to honor His Lord, who died on a cross right-side-up).
And what was it that Peter so badly wanted his fellow brethren to know? (highlight added by me)
1 [a]Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have received a faith of the same [b]kind as ours, [c]by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us [d]by His own glory and [e]excellence.
4 [f]For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral [g]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
Sometimes when we are feeling fragile, especially when we compare ourselves socially, we believe we are useless. But, be encouraged Dear One- even on a bed of affliction- we can practice the qualities described in verses 5-7... with the assurance of verse 8 that as the qualities are ours, and increase (by practicing them, and trusting in the LORD's provision for them in our life)- we are left neither useless nor unfruitful.
May you be encouraged today by Peter's parting words to us. He well understood his fragility- but he chose to use his time by looking to the LORD, and encouraging his fellow believers to practice, through God's grace, peace and divine power- moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord~
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