Most everyone knows her name and a bit about her work. But few know of the discouragement and self-doubt she faced, the depression during her early twenties that led to suicidal thoughts, the criticism she endured, her ruined health, and collapses from overwork.
Yet Florence Nightingale, Mother of Modern Nursing, persevered through it all.
Coloured lithograph by H. M. Bonham-Carter, 1854.
Even as she suffered, Florence wrote, “It is such a blessing to have been called, however unworthy, to be the handmaid of the Lord” [1].
We marvel at her determination and strength, yet such endurance is available to us too. God has provided numerous ways for us to endure all circumstances.
Especially in this time of turmoil and uncertainty in our world, we’d do well to build up a nest egg of intentional faith deposits—deposits that include:
STANDING firm on the Bible
Psalm 119 in particular celebrates the benefits of immersion in God’s Word. A short-list would include: delight (v. 16), counsel (v. 24), understanding (v. 32), hope (v. 49), comfort (v. 52), wisdom (v. 99), truth (v. 160), and peace (v. 165).
Who couldn’t use more of these qualities in their lives?
TIME with God
Turn your mind to worship throughout the day, and in the process of being worshiped . . . God will communicate his presence [2]. Awareness of his presence then leads to strength, and strength leads to quietness of spirit.
TRUST in God’s character
Those of us who’ve known God for awhile can attest to his unfathomable grace, unwavering faithfulness, never-ending compassion, supreme goodness, infinite wisdom, over-arching power, and perfect love.
Meditating on his attributes also replenishes our spiritual strength.
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APPROPRIATION of what God has provided
Think of the value of such God-given gifts as forgiveness, prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, and contentment.
Why would I ever say, “No thank you, God!” to such glorious gifts?
DETERMINATION to stay in the fight
You might remember that composer Ludwig van Beethoven became deaf, beginning in his twenties. Yet he declared, “I will take life by the throat” [3].
May we exercise such determination and embrace our life in Christ with the same tenacity, no matter the circumstances. Strain contributes to strength.
AWARENESS of the evidence
How has God provided for you? Protected you? Guided you?
Contemplate the examples and you’ll find yourself echoing the psalmist: “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands” [4].
To keep the joy flowing, remember his magnanimous blessings—those gifts beyond necessity and surprises beyond dreams.
More joy; more strength.
FELLOWSHIP with God’s people
Praise God for family and friends whose winsome ways make our lives a little lighter, whose compassion makes our troubles easier to carry, and whose love and encouragement enable us to press on.
They infuse strength when ours begins to wane.
SINGLE-MINDEDNESS on the goal
With the Apostle Paul we can focus on one thing: forget what is behind and do our best to reach toward what is ahead, “which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above” [6].
All of these deposits . . .
S tanding firm
T ime with God
E njoyment of God’s blessings
A ppropriation of what God has provided
D etermination to stay in the fight
F ellowship with God’s people
A wareness of the evidence
S ingle-mindedness
T rust in God’s character . . .
. . . will contribute to the kind of STEADFASTNESS that propelled such people of faith as Florence Nightingale and Ludwig van Beethoven through the adversities they faced.
And do you remember what happens when perseverance finishes its work in our lives?
We become mature, complete, and lacking in nothing [7].
Tonight, the Thursday before Easter, we remember the Last Supper and the heart-wrenching scene in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was there Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done”(1).
In a matter of hours from that moment, Jesus would face unimaginable pain and suffering. Yet his prayers were not only for himself that night. He prayed for his disciples, and he even prayed for us—those who would believe in him in the future. His desire was that God’s love and his presence would be in us (2). I marvel at such selflessness in the midst of supreme crisis, don’t you?
As a result of his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, Jesus made possible the fulfillment of that prayer. Our crucified, resurrected, and ascended Christ indwells every believer (3).
Think of it. The all-powerful, all-wise Lord of the universe lives withinus! But just what does that mean?
I like Sarah Young’s explanation: We are intertwined with him in an intimacy involving every fiber of our beings (4).
It means that God makes available to us everything we need:
Power to handle life’s challenges (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Wisdom to determine right actions from wrong (James 1:5)
Access to talk to him at any time (Hebrews 4:16)
Personalized purpose, to fulfill a God-ordained plan (Jeremiah 29:11)
Hope that can never be disappointed (Isaiah 40:31)
Resources that can never be exhausted (Philippians 4:19)
It means that in Christ we have:
Complete forgiveness (Hebrews 8:12)
Everlasting life (John 3:16)
Overflowing joy (Psalm 16:11)
Deep peace (John 14:27)
Attentive care (1 Peter 5:7)
Sometimes I act like the Israelites on their trek to the Promised Land. Remember the manna God provided so they wouldn’t go hungry? It tasted like wafers made with honey (5).
Yet they became so accustomed to the provision, they began to complain. Manna wasn’t good enough after a while. “Yes, Lord,” they may have said. “You’ve been very gracious to provide manna, but we need meat!”
These blessings of Christ in us listed above are more precious even than miraculous manna. How could I take such astounding blessings for granted? Add to that the incredible price Jesus paid so I could enjoy those blessings. How dare I think, Yes, Lord, you’ve been very gracious, but I need more!
* * * * * * * * * *
Dearest Jesus, as I contemplate your deep distress in the Garden of Gethsemane, your suffering at the hands of Roman soldiers, and the unfathomable pain you endured on the cross, my petty wants become inconsequential.
Forgive me for allowing familiarity to dull my senses of awe and gratitude for the sacrifice you made.Willingly. Lovingly.
“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all” (6).
So be it.
Notes:
Luke 22:42
John 17:26
Colossians 1:27
Jesus Calling, 332.
Exodus 16:31
From the hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Art credit: www.free bible images.org.
(Revised and reblogged from April 17, 2014, while we enjoy a week-long visit from our daughter and family.)
Some time ago, wise-and-insightful blogger Michele Morin (at Living Our Days) shared that she was journaling through some of the old hymns. I imagined her digging into the meaning of some of the rich language and theology, personalizing the truths, and/or using them as the basis for prayer.
Putting pen or pencil to paper in such a way slows down our thinking, allowing wonderful blessings to emerge:
Increased knowledge of God and his Word
Clarity of understanding
A record of discoveries
A record of faith deposits for later encouragement
Renewal of the mind
Augmented intimacy with God
If writing a meditation sounds intimidating, adopt the attitude of Isaac Asimov:
“Writing to me is simply thinking through my fingers.”
Isaac Asimov
For Christian journalers, writing can be worshiping through our fingers.
But how do we even begin such a process? Try Anne Sexton’s approach:
When we invite Jesus into our lives, the Spirit of God takes up residence within our spirits (1). We can put our ears down close to our souls and listen hard for him to guide our thoughts and lead us to the insights he would have us discover.
And then, we fill our pages with the breathings of our hearts (2).
The following is an example of a journal entry, based on the first verse of the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”(3). The next four images contain the lyrics.
You, oh God, are the Source of every blessing—every provision, every answered prayer, every wise decision, every creative idea, every moment of joy. All good and perfect gifts come from you (4).
Out of your lavish generosity, blessings flow continually from your hand. May I be quick to praise you for each one as they demonstrate your lovingkindness.
This fount of blessing includes your mercy also. I praise you for your forgiveness, undeserving as I am. Thank you for looking upon me with compassion and tenderness in spite of my weaknesses, failures, and sins.
And I praise you that your mercy never ends! You are faithful to forgive me every time I come to you in repentance. Such grace is beyond comprehension. Yes, I want to sing songs of loudest praise, to honor you rightly for all you’ve done for me and continue to do.
Perhaps if I had the voice of an angel and knew the songs of heaven I could sing the full praise you deserve!
Nevertheless, I celebrate your name(s)—Shepherd, Lord of Peace, God of Grace, Father of Compassion and more. I glory in all the attributes indicated by each one. And I remember: the one trait that is part of them all: your unfailing love.
Thank you for loving me, in spite of my shortcomings; thank you for redeeming me from the consequences of my sins so I might enjoy you forever!
Should you decide to journal through a hymn or praise song, remember: perfection is not the goal, getting to know God better and worship him more passionately are the aims.
An added benefit? Our meditations will positively impact our words and actions (5).
Notes:
1 Corinthians 3:16
based on a quote from William Wordsworth
by Robert Robinson, text adapted by Margaret Clarkson
I'm Patty, and my husband and I are living with our adult son who has autism and epilepsy. I love sharing lessons learned from life around me, especially life with Aaron.
From the Inside Out 