307 - "Releasing Beauty" John 16 - 17

They sat on a make-shift dock, watching Jesus row alone into the sunset to go pray.  John 16:6 Sorrow fills their hearts because the disciples now know that Christ is going to die.  He never told them before now. But they are about to experience more joy than could be imagined. And what He will do for them---He will send a Helper. John 16:7.  We experience suffering and joy unbelievable in this life.  Crabb says it this way in 66LL:

"Understand this:  To commune with Me in this life is to live like My Son with His Life alive in you.
Believe this:  Communion with God leads to an eternal experience of God and unimaginable blessings from God on earth and in heaven.  [And communion is not defined by an experience of Me.  Nor does it depend on blessings from God.]  To really live is to release Christ through any circumstance, no matter how you feel; to relate as he related, giving when no one gives back, loving when no one returns love, forgiving when no one deserves forgiveness... ."

I don't know. . . if too many more things go wrong in my life, I don't know that I can stand it.  Yet, I have the promise of an Advocate.  I have the power of Another Helper.  That changes everything for me.  I have more joy in my life in the midst of more mess than ever. And more questions than ever.  And more peace enveloping me.  I don't know how to explain it except to say, it is Christ's power that draws me out to live beyond my circumstances and keep on going on.

Psalm 50:2 - Perfect in Beauty is the God who pours out of all of us. If there is anything good about our lives, dear God, it is You.  Help me to continue to offer Beauty where there is distance, Love where there is arrogance, and Kindness where I am invisible.  

PHOTO: A make-shift deck where I have sat with unanswered prayer many a days, many a years.