Revisiting: I am fully certain that I love thee, O Lord...
"It's not with a doubtful consciousness, but one fully certain that I love thee, O Lord. Thou hast smitten my heart with thy Word, and I have loved thee. And see also the heaven, and earth, and all that is in them - on every side they tell me to love thee, and they do not cease to tell this to all men, "so that they are without excuse."
St Augustine, Confessions, Chapter VI, 8.330
Medinas in Tunisia
Something that I only discovered recently...St Augustine received his law education in Carthage, Tunisia and would one day start a church and devote his time to theology in Tunisia and around North Africa. One of the most read theologian after Paul...He is one of the early theologians who has shaped and formed much of early Christian thought...He was a totally logical person. Yet his logic did not work against him but helped him to draw closer into the meaning of God's Word and to love it (as we read above). The statement he made above sure doesn't sound logical. His logic and career in law led him away from Christianity for a while but he would return and passionately devote his life to faithfully make known the mystery of God's love and Jesus' grace to the world through his writings...You know, there are seasons and times in life that God may allow us to walk into so that we can re-discover how much we love him and need him. St Augustine discovered that and for many of us, we are in the midst of seeing that even for our own life. I certainly am.
Actually, PASSION is not emotional...in fact, having passion for something means we must be willing to go the distance to see it come to pass even when things around us get difficult. So difficult that we feel that we can't go on. Even then, God's love is upon us and his grace is sufficient for us...to have joy in the worst situation and still shine for Jesus. Look at Paul when he was thrown into prison. He praised God and remained joyful...so much so that it annoyed the guards. But one of them saw his heart... That Paul's joy was not a facade...it was the real deal. This guard gave his life to the Lord and brought his whole family to know Jesus.
Do you have a passion about something today??? Then don't shy away from its fulfilment even in the face of difficulties and though situations. God is not slow in answering us but he is patiently allowing us to go through the sharpening stone...to sharpen our character and strenghten out feeble hearts. Take heart! Jesus has done everything and overcome the world...what is impossible for Him?? NOTHING!
Absolutely Nothing...
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