This post was written for Five Minute Friday
Word prompt--BE
Five minutes to free write about it
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Two thoughts popped into my mind--the opening line to one of Hamlet's soliloquies in Shakespeare's play by the same name, and the thoughts that infiltrate my mind condemning me for not being all the things I feel I'm supposed to be.
The answer to both is Jesus!
In his "To be or not to be" speech, Hamlet was trying to decide whether to live or die. Life was so full of trouble and pain, but would death be any better or might it be worse? Thankfully, that's not a question anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ needs to ponder.
God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us on the cross so that we could be forgiven of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life. Romans 8:1 tells us that there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus.
I'm so grateful that no matter how things may be looking around us, we can find peace and joy in Jesus. I'm also grateful for His unconditional love, His mercy and grace, His faithfulness, His longsufferingness (is that a word?), and that He never gives up on us.
God knows my strengths and weaknesses and He does not condemn me for just being me.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3:16, NIV
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. -- Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -- Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -- 2 Peter 3:9, KJV
The LORD is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. -- Psalm 28:7, NIV
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. -- Psalm 55:22, NLT
I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. -- John 14:27, NLT
Sandra, I love these reminders. "The answer to both is Jesus". So true. Thanks for sharing. Kath, your FMF neighbour at #3 this week.
ReplyDeleteYES! Amen to this!!
ReplyDelete"I'm so grateful that no matter how things may be looking around us, we can find peace and joy in Jesus."
ReplyDelete💙
What are you supposed to be,
ReplyDeletewhat do you have to prove?
Do you need the world to see
that you are in the groove
of a blinged-out hipster chic,
or church elder stasis?
What is it you need to stick
your soul to, for its basis?
Do you need a Beemer,
or Pilates membership?
Should you be post-trib dreamer
for anyone who cracks the whip,
or will you count the world as loss
and hold to the Holy Cross?
Thanks for the sonnet, Andrew. The image of this 82-year-old great-granny as a "blinged-out hipster chic" cracked me up.😂
DeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, my dear friend.
Yes and amen. I am so grateful for His saving Grace. Sue
ReplyDeleteThe answer IS Jesus, and how wonderful that we don't need to fret over "to be or not to be" or our own shortcomings because we are HIS.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from FMF#30
Great blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteHi! Just click the links on my post and you can friend/follow me. Thansk for visiting Buttercupland.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written :)
ReplyDelete