I know I haven't written anything on this blog about our new Pontiff- Pope Francis but that's just because I have been too busy celebrating and rejoicing over his election. But now, something has come up which has made me want to post about him. It is about that news flash where His Holiness descended from the Popemobile to greet a disabled man in the papal audience. I had seen the picture of this but the video really moved my heart. Truly, this man is chosen by God...
There is this lovely skit by the Skit Guys called God's Chisel. It is a beautiful analogy of how we respond to God's pruning and most of the time not very well.
The part I like is where the main protagonist begs God to leave it off him for a while, take a break, come back later, resume the work, whenever that may be. God sighs...
That's a problem with me. As much as I love the Lord and truly desire his will in my life, it is hard to toe the line when the going gets tough. Like the time he asked me to forgive this really nasty person at the workplace or graciously accept a time of desolation to thaw my frozen heart. I find myself so broken that I wish (and pray) that God gives me a break. And hopefully a long break, at that. But this is what I have understood about the Lord. One he puts his hands to the anvil, he doesn't let go till he has fulfilled his purpose.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever.
- Psalm 138:8
An Unrelenting God. A Stubborn Saviour. Where would we be without him? Undone, half-done, without...
I don't trust myself to hold on to Christ. But this I know. I can trust Christ to hold on to me, no mater what. No matter how many times I tell him to leave me alone. He won't give up on me. Maybe it's a litany to the One I love. No matter how many times I tell him to leave me be. Christ won't give up on me No matter how many times I tell him I am tired of his hand Christ won't give up on me No matter how many times I have given up on myself Christ won't give up on me For the times I have cheated, bribed, counselled and coerced Him to do my will as His Christ won't give up on me For the times I have fallen and couldn't forgive myself Christ won't give up on me For the times I have wounded his Sacred Heart Christ won't give up on me For the times I have wounded and maligned his people Christ won't give up on me For the times I had an opportunity to proclaim his name, speak of his goodness and spread his love; and did not Christ won't give up on me When I gave away my time in far cheaper pursuits than knowing his command and heeding his call Christ won't give up on me When I am in sin and my pride prevents me from hearing the Master's call Christ won't give up on me To the Lord who took on torn humanity to save me Christ won't give up on me To the Lord who humble himself to the pits of death and hell, that I may not suffer either Christ won't give up on me To the unquenchable fire of his love waiting to renew me Christ won't give up on me Christ won't give up on me. Christ won't give up on me. Not just yet. Not ever.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance. Have mercy on us.
