"To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you unblemished and exultant,
in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our Savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, power, and authority,
from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen."
Jude 24-25
Unblemished and exultant in the presence of God's glory. We can't even begin to imagine what that would be like. First, because of the sins that blemish our souls, thanks to the sinful tendencies of our fallen human nature - and secondly, because we cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in the presence of God's glory.
Then, in combination... whoa... to be in the presence of God, unblemished?!?! Indeed, that would be an exultant moment - having fought the good fight, having "finished the race," as St. Paul says.
Finishing the race. As I sometimes find myself discussing with friends, it's not about how fast we run, or how often we have to slow down and walk (whether in our spiritual lives, or in running, or school, or whatever) - it's about getting it done. Slow and steady finishes - and in a very certain sense, wins - the race.
What do I mean? It's easy to get impatient with ourselves when we mess up, or just don't do as well as we think we should have, and to beat ourselves up over it. Believe me, I know. Oh, do I know - I am forever guilty of this. Developing patience-with-self can be so difficult. Learning to live in hope, trusting the One who keeps us from stumbling is hard, too. I was told by a wise priest several weeks ago to practice "living in the third day," in other words, to live in hope, to work through failings with patience, one step at a time, and anticipating what is to come - what that third day means - resurrection, new life.
We may not know exactly how we'll get there, but let us strive for the ultimate "third day" - when we will stand unblemished and exultant, before the glory of God.
+Peace, and all good. And cheers for post number 101! One hundred and one! God is good.
Then, in combination... whoa... to be in the presence of God, unblemished?!?! Indeed, that would be an exultant moment - having fought the good fight, having "finished the race," as St. Paul says.
Finishing the race. As I sometimes find myself discussing with friends, it's not about how fast we run, or how often we have to slow down and walk (whether in our spiritual lives, or in running, or school, or whatever) - it's about getting it done. Slow and steady finishes - and in a very certain sense, wins - the race.
What do I mean? It's easy to get impatient with ourselves when we mess up, or just don't do as well as we think we should have, and to beat ourselves up over it. Believe me, I know. Oh, do I know - I am forever guilty of this. Developing patience-with-self can be so difficult. Learning to live in hope, trusting the One who keeps us from stumbling is hard, too. I was told by a wise priest several weeks ago to practice "living in the third day," in other words, to live in hope, to work through failings with patience, one step at a time, and anticipating what is to come - what that third day means - resurrection, new life.
We may not know exactly how we'll get there, but let us strive for the ultimate "third day" - when we will stand unblemished and exultant, before the glory of God.
+Peace, and all good. And cheers for post number 101! One hundred and one! God is good.
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