Being Poured Out

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8

I can relate. Whilst I am through the time where I thought my time had come I know how it feels. It was like being in a vat of grapes and having someone stop on me and crush me, squeezing out all that was within, so that nothing but skin was left. I was being made ready to love those God is bringing to me, the lost skaters, BMXers, scooters. Lovely, lovely lives that He cherishes with all that is in Him. I have sensed that love and it is so all consuming, so sweet. 

When all that you have built and known seems to be stripped away and you are left alone and in pain, physically, emotionally and spiritually, this is what being poured out is like. Paul had almost everyone, except Luke leave him. He had people turn against him and his teaching, steal from him, vilify him. He knew he was facing death, perhaps he had been given notice of his sentence.

The joy that is hidden in such a time is the promise of eternal life with a Lord that loves passionately, wipes away tears and heals all our infirmities. That nothing can take this away is mind blowing and so comforting. When all is said and done, there is really only One I need, who can sustain me and carry me through.

He is so good! Amen!

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