"Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"

Lately I have been rather hesitant about blogging. I guess it is because I find myself thinking, "I am just a simple, small town girl, why does anything I say matter? Who on earth would want to stop and read anything I've written? I am not an English major and I definitely cannot spell, even if my life depends on it. Better yet, what's the point or what is my motive?" 

I think I found my answer in the passage that our pastor shared this morning:"26Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 

I am not wise, not influential, not of noble birth. I am often weak and lowly. I've made more mistakes than I care to admit. I am stubborn, proud, independent. I have spent the last year of my life being aggravated with myself for letting circumstances of loss and disappointment make me question my faith. "I've been the one to try and say I'll overcome by my own strength I've been the one to fall apart and start to question who you are." (MercyMe-You are I am). I am just a sinner saved by grace.

"But by the grace of God I am What I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." I Corinthians 15:10

 

Take a look at verse 30 & 31 again.

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

I have made a mess of things time and time again but because of him my life has been redeemed. It is because of him that I am a new creation. It is because of him that I woke up this morning. It is because of him that I have the strength to face each day with hope. Because of him, I live.

As was appropriate our service ended today with one of my favorite songs: 

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

-es