Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me continue to stand firm in the Lord…

 
1 Thessalonians3:7-13 & Matthew 25:1-13

 
On a beautiful warm day I swam with four small grandchildren in the sparkling clear waters of the St. Lawrence River. Playing tag we ran circles around each other squealing with glee and working our feet against a soft sandy bottom.  And then I ran into a rock. Within two days, I began a four week journey through back and leg pain. Even with physio and slowing down – and standing and sitting and walking on firm ground -I am still feeling the effects of running helter skelter on shifting sands for an hour of gleeful play. This forced retreat has given me pause to reflect on two themes in the scripture readings this summer, the theme of standing firm in the Lord and the idea of thte grace of patience and waiting for God’s will to unfold.  If I choose to engage with, or even to ‘stand my ground’ on, the sands of time, digging my feet into ideologies, philosophies or platforms of any kind, over time my footing will eventually become unstable as the waves of fame, fortune and success come and go around me – and chances are I will accidentally run into a submerged rock or two, and end up in agony of mind and soul.  But if I simply and deliberately choose to stand on the rock of faith in God’s mercy and grace, then I will be standing firm as the waves of change, trauma, or even joyful play wash around me.  Am I prepared to stand firm… in the Lord… continually?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me to continue to stand firm, with my lamp lit, with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength - in the Lord.     
                                                                                                                   
Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 97)
 
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand…
Hymn: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less , by Edward Mote
Annonymous
 
Soli ad gloriam
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