Who Do You Say I Am??

I always try to look ahead to see what the scripture readings are for each Sunday. The gospel reading for this Sunday made me smile... it's Matthew 16:13-20

"When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah."

What made me smile, is that about a year ago at the Tuesday healing services, Fr Nigel was talking about the idea of "who do you say I am", and what to tell someone who asks you why you believe. He gave us an assignment that day to write an essay on "who do you say I am"... the following is my response to that assignment....

Who do you say I am??

I know who you are, Lord…. You’re the Messiah- the King. I worship you and talk with you each and every Sunday and every day in between. You’re the Savior, the Only Begotten Son. You’re the Prince of Peace.

But who do YOU say I am?

Ok, I get it Lord…. Wow, now we’re getting personal, huh?

Who knows you the best? Who knows your heart? Who knows your words before you speak them? Who knows your tears before you cry them? Who lifts you when you fall? Who holds you up when you can't stand on your own? Who stands behind you when the world turns it's back on you?

You do, Lord…

Then who do you say I am?

You’re my rock when I have no strength. You’re my counselor, when I don’t know what to do. You’re my healer, when the pain is so horrible I just can’t go on.

There's more... keep going!

You’re my friend, when I feel completely alone and deserted. You’re my provider when the ends just don’t seem to be able to meet. You’re a strong shoulder to lay my head on when the exhaustion and tears overwhelm me. You’re my conscience when I’m headed in the wrong direction. You’re the loving Father I never really had. You’re my peace that passes understanding, when the battles of life get to be too much. You’re my candle in the darkness. You’re my cheerleader when I need encouragement.

There's one more, you're not done yet!

You’re my life, Lord. Without you I am nothing.

a tough day... but God hears my cries

Today has been a bit of a tough day.... it started by my finding out that my unemployment benefits have run out.... yah so that kind of scared me--- alot!! I spent much of my day doing some serious job searching-- but after exhausting all my avenues for that- I felt the fears of my reality... there were tears... many many many. There were cries of anguish to God... many many many.

But God seldom leaves us empty... in my quiet and listening for His voice, he led me to my very own blog. I haven't been here in quiet a while. My eyes scanned down to previous posts and were drawn to my post about the Easter Vigil at CtK. As I began reading that, particularly about the LIGHT of CHRIST, I heard God's voice so clearly say to me, "I died for you-- and for this you must live... believe in me, trust me- I won't fail you."

Thank you Lord-- thank you! I love you Lord- you ARE my reason to live!!