Perfection In Weakness

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Martha
One of the Stations of The Cross inside the Pantheon, Rome, Italy, 2011, taken by Martha Wiggins

One of the Stations of The Cross inside the Pantheon, Rome, Italy, 2011, taken by Martha Wiggins

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48

Have you ever noticed when you are around perfection, true beauty, that you begin to feel inadequate, or infinitely small?  When we stand next to perfection we become acutely aware of our imperfection.

God is perfection, and He asks us to be perfect also.  I believe that our entire life is a journey to perfection.  Once perfection, in a spiritual sense, (and really there is no other perfection) is achieved, we have lived out our earthy orbit and God brings us to live in Life Eternal with Him.

The goal, then, is perfection. The goal is to become like God.  As we strive to do so, we make many mistakes, and in our struggles we feel like failures.  I love the explanation for this given in one of my daily devotionals,  “God Calling” by A.J. Russell.  “The nearer you get to Me, the more will you see your unlikeness to Me. …Your very deep sense of failure is a sure sign that you are growing nearer to Me.”

The more we strive for perfection and to be like God, the more we will see that we are not.  We will feel the pain of inadequacy, of failure, stronger than if we just didn’t care one way or the other.  “God Calling,” explains further, “Remember too, it is only struggle that hurts.  In sloth, spiritual or mental, or physical, there is no sense of failure or discomfort, but with action, with effort, you are conscious not of strength but of weakness–at least, at first.  That again is a sign of Life, of spiritual growth.  And remember, My Strength is made perfect in weakness.”

We need not become to discouraged by our shortcomings and failures.  Being aware of them is half the battle.  Our feelings of remorse can drive us to strive harder to attain perfection.  To become like Him, we must truly know Him.  We must draw near to Him through His Word.  He must be in the forefront of our thoughts, and as He is, we will unconsciously grow more and more like Him.  If we are sincerely devoted to becoming like Him, to becoming a Saint, God will see and bless our efforts.

Surround yourselves with everything that is good.  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  (Romans 12:2)

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May You Know The Fullness Of God

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Martha
Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Italy, 2011

Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Italy, 2011

“For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:14-19

In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul demonstrates perfectly how we are to pray for one another.  He lifts his readers up to God in prayer asking that His Spirit within them be strengthened, that Christ dwell within their hearts through faith, and that they may realize exactly what they have in Christ… love that surpasses knowledge!  Paul ends his prayer asking that they be filled with the fullness of God.

Imagine this kind of prayer being offered on your behalf by someone.  You may not even know who it is that prays, or when the prayer is offered.  What you will know is God’s grace in your life.  Maybe a feeling a peace will wash over you.  Maybe you will finally be successful at a certain endeavor.  Maybe you will feel strong where weak, confident where doubtful, loved where lonely, or healed where sick.  Prayer is powerful when offered up by a sincere heart.

Inspired by Paul, I now pray that each of you will be filled with the desire to pray, to lift one another up in sincere, heartfelt prayer.  May your Spirit be filled with love, compassion. and acceptance for all so that you too will know the breadth and depth of the fullness of God.

 

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Lord, You Are Provision

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Martha
My sons hiking above The Valley of Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010, taken by Martha Wiggins

My sons hiking above The Valley of Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010, taken by Martha Wiggins

Lord, You are Provision.

Forgive me, Lord, when I fail to recognize or accept your offerings.  Forgive me also when the abundance of your provision seems not enough.

Thank you, Lord, for your never ending provision and abundant blessings in my life; those I am fully aware of, and those I am not.  Help me to become more aware and always ready with praise and thanksgiving in my heart and on my lips.

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Do You Love Him?

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Martha

526px-Good_Shepherd_001“The eyes of the LORD are upon those who love him; he is their mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling.  He buoys up the spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, gives health and life and blessing.”   Sirach 35:16-17

Health, and life, and blessing, all without stumbling and falling!  A mighty shield, strong support, shelter, and shade!  All of this to those who love Him.  Do you love Him?

To love is to give.  When we love, we invest ourselves in someone else.  With our thoughts, words, and deeds, we show our love.

When we love, we desire only good for the one we love.  We do all we can to bring about that good.  We go before them to protect and shield them from harm.  We defend them against the ill will or ill thoughts of others.  When we love, we speak highly of and spend time with the one we love.  We spread good things, good news, about them.  We enjoy being in their company, even if we do nothing but sit with them.  We want to be near the one we love at all times.

With love comes responsibility.  When we love we must be selfless, unselfish.  We must be true, honest.  We must put the one we love first and foremost in our life.  We must be sincere in doing so.  When we love, we seek to meet the needs of the one we love.

To love is to trust, and be trusted.  When we love, we accept the one we love as they are.  We trust them with our love, and we are trustworthy in our love.  When we love, we are both patient with, and forgiving of, the faults we find.

Again, Do you love Him?

In the Sirach quote above we learn how the LORD takes care of and protects those who love Him.  In 1-Corinthians 13:4-7, He tells us exactly what love is, exactly what love means in His eyes. “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  This is His blueprint for love.  We know, if we love Him in the way He asks, we will reap the rewards and benefits of His loving care and protection, and as stated in Sirach 35:17 “He buoys up the spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, gives health and life and blessing.”

     To love is work, hard work, well-paying work.  To love Him is health, life, and blessing.  Do you love Him?  If so, you are armed with the knowledge of Truth, His shield of Protection, and a Sparkle in the eye!

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From Eternity To Eternity

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Martha
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

“Before the mountains were born, before the earth and the world came to birth, from eternity to eternity you are God.  Psalm 90:2

I find such great comfort in knowing God has no beginning and no end.  He always was, always is, and always will be.

In our earthly life we have a beginning, and we have an end.  On the home page at Martha’s Orbit.com, I give my spin on it:  Webster’s defines orbit as the path of a satellite around a celestial body.  I personally define orbit as the individual life path around the celestial body of God, Our Heavenly Father.  We are placed into our orbit by God at birth … and retrieved by him at death.  We live, breathe, and grow in our orbit … in our orbit is harmony (God’s will for our life).  When we deviate from our orbit’s path … chaos ensues.  We are held in our orbit by Faith (our intimate relationship with God)… Faith in Jesus, The Son of God.

God not only has no beginning and no end, He is the beginning and He is the end.  Everything that exists does so because of Him.  Everything is of Him and for Him.  Without God, we do not exist.  No God, no us!

We live solely because of His Love, and by His Grace.  It is exactly for this reason I find great comfort in knowing He is God from eternity to eternity.  He created me and was there when I was ‘launched’ into my orbit at birth.  He is there while I live in my orbit, will be there when my orbit ends at my physical death, and will be there to welcome me home into Eternity with Him.  This is the same for every living being since the beginning of time as we know it.  Billions of others have existed in the same way, and barring the end of our world, billions more will again.

For me, it would be much more difficult to believe there is no God.  If there is no God, I have no reason for existing.  With God my reason for existing is Love!  And, I am here by His grace.

“Teach us to count up the days that are ours, and we shall come to the heart of wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12

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Radiant Light

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Martha

 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16Jesus at Mary Queen of The Universe

In Webster’s New World Dictionary, light is defined as radiant energy by which one sees.  As an artist, as one who loves imagery, I find the definition intriguing.  It actually makes me think of an aura, or a halo, especially when thinking spiritually.

The main focus of the verses from Matthew’s Gospel above is light: my light, your light, our light, His Light.  The one true source of all light is Jesus.  He is that radiant energy by which one sees, He is the Light of The World.  We are to be light also; letting it shine forth from within each one of us to reflect His radiant energy, His Glory to all.  Psalm (112:4) says it perfectly, “They shine through the darkness, a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and just.”

To make your light shine even brighter, and to keep your light burning brightly for all to see, spend time with Jesus.  Spend time in His Word daily.  Start each morning with a Bible verse, a prayer, and some time in silence with Jesus.  Fill your heart with His Spirit, His Truth, His Light, and then you can’t help but shine forth.  It will be as so beautifully stated in Isaiah 58:8,  “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn …” and as in Isaiah 58:10, “Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.”

     My light, your light, our light, His Light … that radiant energy by which one sees!  May His Light shine forth from me to you, from you to others, and from others out to whole world.  Have a Blessed Sunday Everyone!

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I Believe; Help My Unbelief

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Martha

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life…”  John 3:36

Throughout the Gospels we learn about many who were rewarded because they believed.  In faith they approached Jesus believing He would respond accordingly, and He did.

In Luke 8, my personal favorite, we hear about a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years.  I can’t even begin to fathom what her life must have been like.  She would have been considered ‘unclean’ and would have suffered in her relationships with others as a result.  In her misery she felt drawn to Jesus, and dared to reach through the crowd just to touch the fringe of His cloak.  She believed enough to reach out, and when found out, when exposed, she crumpled in a heap before Him.  In the instant of that believing touch she had been healed.  Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48) 

In Luke 18, we hear about a blind beggar along the roadside, who believed enough to cry out loudly to Jesus.  People around him tried to silence him, but he would not be silenced.  Hearing the blind beggar, Jesus asked to have him brought before Him.  When the beggar explained that what he wanted was to see again, Jesus responded, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 18:42)

In Matthew 15, there is a mother who has a demon-possessed daughter.  As a mother, I can imagine how utterly distraught she had become.  She, too, began to call out loudly to Jesus.  Even His own disciples found her shouting out so annoying that they asked Him to send her away.  She persisted, and dared argue with Jesus, stating that even dogs were allowed the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.  Jesus conceded to her saying, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” (Matthew 15:28)  Then, He immediately healed the woman’s demon-possessed daughter.

In one more example, from Mark 9, there is a father with a demon-possessed son.  He believes enough to ask Jesus’ disciples to drive out the demon.  When they fail, he turns to Jesus asking Him to please help him, if He can.  A little amazed, Jesus responds, “If you can?  All things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  (Matthew 9:23-24)   And yes, here too, Jesus drove the demon out of the man’s son.

These are just a few of the Biblical examples.  There are many more times where Jesus responded to someone who’s faith, who’s belief, was strong enough to approach Him and ask for what they needed, what they wanted.  When He spoke after healing them, after driving out the demons, it was always to let them know that He had done so because they believed.  Their faith had made it possible.

We must take to heart the words of Jesus, that “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mk 9:23)  And, if we struggle with truly accepting Him, truly believing Him, then let us at least reach out through the crowd to touch His cloak.  Let us at least shout out to Him from afar.  And in our doubt, let us be like the man with the demon-possessed son.  Let us pray, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!

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The One Leper

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Martha

“They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  Luke 17:13

     Do you hang back?  Are you afraid to approach Jesus because you feel unworthy to do so?

In Luke 17:11-19, we hear about a group of ten men who have skin disease, leprosy.  To be a leper in Biblical times was to be unclean, to be an outcast.  No one would come near; no one would touch a leper.  Imagine, no one would even help to care for their wounds.  Lepers were on their own, totally cut off from everyone and everything they knew and loved.  There only solace came from banding together, forming colonies with others suffering in the same way.  Thus, is their existence when they hear about Jesus healing the sick, the blind, and the lame.  And, He is coming!  He will be passing their way, but, will He help them, unclean as they are?

Refusing to let despair take over, they go to the small town nearby and seek Him out.  Not wanting to get close to Him, they call out from afar, begging Him to take pity on them.  Jesus hears them and tells them to go show themselves to their priest.  The Bible says, “And as they went, they were cleansed.”  (Luke 17:14)   Can’t you just imagine what went on as they walked off?  “Why are we going to the priest?  What is the priest going to do for us?”  And then, someone says, “I don’t know, but Jesus said to go, and based on all I have heard about Him, I am going.  He must have a reason!”  The others look at each other and then, agreeing, they set off for the priest.  I envision the group, having been paused and arguing, taking that next step in unison.  In that next step, one of trust and belief in Jesus, they are all healed.  Now, they are jumping for joy, and running excitedly to show their priest; all but one that is.

In his joy, the one realizes the source of his healing.  He returns first to Jesus, to thank Him.  Jesus asks about the others, wanting to know where they are, for weren’t they all healed?  The others are running wildly around, rushing to show their loved ones and friends they have been healed.  I like to think they just got overly excited, and will later remember to go and thank Jesus.  To the one, Jesus says, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)  He was cleansed both on the outside and the inside.  He was well, whole once more, and he knew who was responsible.  As Jesus told him to, he went, but with a heart filled with love, joy, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Let us be like the one leper.  If we truly feel unworthy to approach Jesus, let us call out to Him from right where we are.  Let us ask Him to have pity on us, to have mercy on us.  And when He does, because He will, let us then not be afraid to approach Him in thanksgiving.  He will draw us near to Him, and we will never want to be apart from Him again, for with Him, we are made well.  We are whole again.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

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Chiseled Character

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Martha
Inside the Pantheon at the tomb of the famours artist Raphael is The Madonna del Sasso, by Lorenzetto, a student of Raphael. Photo taken in 2011 by Martha Wiggins.

Inside the Pantheon at the tomb of the famours artist Raphael is The Madonna del Sasso, by Lorenzetto, a student of Raphael. Photo taken in 2011 by Martha Wiggins.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  Matthew 5:4-6

“Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”  I often pray this as part of my prayer routine and as an affirmation throughout the day.  It sounds really sweet and simple, but is it really?

When we ask Jesus to help us, to guide us, to teach us, to make us like Him, do we really understand all that it entails?  It isn’t easy to become meek and humble.  We innately know this or we wouldn’t be seeking His help.  The rub is in ‘how’ He will make us meek and humble, or ‘how’ He will help us to be like Him in any character trait we might long for.

When we seek His help, we acknowledge that the work is not only ours, but also His to complete in us.  It will be a cooperative effort.  We must be willing to be chiseled by the Master Potter.  He will chip away all that is unnecessary through trial and error, mistakes, and eventually successes on our part.

As we go through His sculpting of our character, we will become more and more aware of our faults.  The closer we get to the goal the more glaring the remaining faults to be chiseled away become.  The closer we get to the goal the more delicate, yet painful, the chiseling becomes.  Failures in our character, which we might not have even noticed or felt remorse for prior to chiseling, become as a heavy weight on our soul.  Rather than how far we have come, we only see how much is still to be accomplished in us.  This means the process is working.  The fine detail work has begun, and the polished completion is at hand.

The struggle to remove those unwanted character flaws is a bumpy ride, to say the least.  However, with Jesus in the seat beside us, we can call upon His strength, His courage, His patience and perseverance.  It is well worth the bumpy ride.

So, as we begin this new year, let us pray, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”  Just let us also be prepared to hold on tight to all that is Him.

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The Shepherd Seeks…

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Martha

409px-Jesus_Rescuing_a_Lamb_Caught_in_Thorns“For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.  As a shepherd tends he flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep.  I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark…the lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal…”  Ezekiel 34:11-12,16

Lost, strayed, injured, sick…The Lord your God will handle it all, for you are His sheep.  I shared this beautiful verse from Ezekiel today because so many are suffering and need to know they will be rescued.  No matter where you are, no matter what you have done, no matter how many times you have already been rescued, the Lord is your Shepherd and He will seek you out, forgive you again, and make you whole to begin anew.

Are you willing to be found?  Pray:  Find me, Lord, for I am lost.

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