I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV 1984, emphasis mine)
What was it in my husband’s personality that made him want to toss his children up over his head and catch them again? It scared me to death, but our daughters weren’t frightened. Nope. They loved it. I can remember their laughter and giggles … and my worry … even now. Despite my fears, he never once dropped either of those precious girls.
As our daughters grew older, they would stand on the bed and shout, “Catch me, Daddy!” Again, every time they leaped with total confidence toward their daddy’s big, strong arms, Ray would catch them. Oh, to have the faith of a little child, confident that my Father God, my Abba, will not drop me!
Why did our daughters willing leap into their daddy’s arms? Because they knew him. They knew he was much stronger and bigger than they were. They knew he loved them and had no intention of hurting them. They knew his eyes were trained on them, ready to catch and hold them tight. The thrill of the jump was not terrifying, because they trusted the one they were jumping to.
Paul, in Philippians 3, speaks of his longing to know Christ. Paul wanted to understand His power. A power so big Jesus did not stay dead when he died. Resurrection power. Paul wanted to share in Christ’s sufferings. He recognized that this was a huge part of Christ’s life, and he didn’t want to miss understanding that part of who Jesus was either. Paul wanted to be like Him to the death and share in eternal life with His Savior.
Can you imagine knowing Christ so well that death and suffering hold no fear? That was Paul’s desire. That’s mine also. I want, someday, to cross from this life to the next in joy, because I trust the One who will catch me as I leap from a mortal to an immortal body! And if there is suffering along the way … I want to see it as a sharing—a fellowship—with the One who suffered most for me. He, of all people, knows what it feels like to hurt. And He suffers with us, in fellowship, never leaving us even in the hardest of times.
So, dear friends, let’s make it our goal to know Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The more we know Him, the more we will trust Him, no matter what our futures hold. When the One we are trusting is God, we can jump with joy!
Father, I truly do want to know You better and love You more. Help me to study, to learn, to be with You in quiet, so that I come to know You, the One who made me and knows me intimately. Thank You that there is no fear in Love. You are trustworthy. I praise You in Jesus Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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