A Word of Encouragement
Sometimes, I seriously wonder if I’m doing the right thing. Writing my life story, blogging, trying to build a social media “platform” – is this what I’m supposed to be doing with my life? I don’t know how much time I have left, after all…
What we are called to do in life, I believe, is to live well. But, this doesn’t mean the advertisers’ version of living well: fine dining, cruises, laughing with healthy looking friends, and so glamorously on. To live well means to LOVE. Therefore, my intellect and worldly accomplishments (whether big or puny) are not what matter most. The loftiest thoughts and most eloquent words in the world don’t amount to anything truly worthwhile, certainly nothing eternal, unless they come from a heart of real love. It’s like that famous Bible quote from St. Paul, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”[1]
I know that I do love. Always have I been filled with a love of life. My commitment is to, with the gifts that I have been given, love God with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love the people in my life – and perfect strangers – as God loves me, through Christ Jesus[2]. I will be, and am, tested in this love every day, and sometimes I fare worse than others. But, I am devoted to persevering. Though I may fall, Lord, may I rise…
Hearing the following words, also from St. Paul, gave me a nice little kick where I needed it recently – for,we all need direction in our lives, encouragement, and community. (The Bible, I’m learning more and more, is great for that.)
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy: 4 (emphasis added.)
Thanks, Paul. I needed that. 🙂
More words from the Saint next month – words that made the old pagan in me very happy.
© 2017 Christina Chase
Photo credit: “Communication” © 2017 Dan Chase, All Rights Reserved
[1] 1 Corinthians 13:1
[2] Luke 10:27
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Christina Chase View All
Although crippled by disease, I'm fully alive in love. I write about the terrible beauty and sacred wonder of life, while living with physical disability and severe dependency. A revert to the Catholic faith through atheism, I'm not afraid to ask life's big questions. I explore what it means to be fully human through my weekly blog and have written a book: It's Good to Be Here, published by Sophia Institute Press.
Christina Chase 
Love all your blogs, but especially this one with the words of St. Paul in Timothy. Needed to read that this morning.
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I needed it too. (Probably I never would have read that passage if I hadn’t met you, Christina, from afar. The Internet is a mysterious gift, and I am grateful more than once every day for the inspiration I have found there. Here included, and especially.
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