By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory. – 1 Timothy 3:16
For those of us with chronic conditions, daily pain, and a struggle with disabilities, the fact that God chose to become a man is really something striking.
We long to be free of these bodies. He longed to put one on.
We groan at our frailty. He embraced it.
We curse the daily pain. He counted his body as a blessing.
How is this possible? How could God long to experience life in this shell? How could He rejoice at tired and blistered feet? How could He willingly accept cold and flu season in a body that is at the mercy of germs? How could He take on every ache and pain?
Knowing how easily His flesh would be torn.
Knowing how freely His blood would flow.
Why would He? Why?
The answer is simple.
He loved me.
And the answer is too complex for my human mind to comprehend.
He loved me.
God wanted me to be able to share in the glory of a heavenly body one day. He wanted to provide me with the opportunity to be free from pain, sickness, stress, and death.
And so He ran with joy toward a frail, earthly vessel that could never hope to contain His glory.
He loved me.
O Lord, Your love is such an undeserved gift. As we enter deeper into the season when the greatest Gift was given, please help us always to put you at the center. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
What a beautiful offering to anyone in pain or with chronic illness– or any discomfort to be reminded that Christ was born and died for us, and is here and always will be. Our Great Comforter, Mighty Counselor! Visiting from #TellHisStory nextdoor today! Have a beautiful holiday season!