Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled. John 14:27.

I loved this from You Are The Beloved by Henri Nouwen: “Joy does not come from positive predictions about the state of the world. It does not depend on the ups and downs of the circumstances of our lives. Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Jesus says it loudly and clearly: “In the world you will have troubles, but rejoice, I have overcome the world!” The surprise is not that, unexpectedly, things turn out better than expected. No, the real surprise is that God’s Light is more real than all the darkness, that God’s truth is more powerful than all human lies, that God’s love is stronger than death.”

Our chapter, 2 Corinthians 9, is Paul’s encouragement for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem to be made ready. I googled how long this collection undertaking was and it said about 10 years, from roughly the late 40s to the late 50s AD. For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – not to speak of you – will be put to shame by this confidence. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession and the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

There are so many needs and burdens in this life. As I carry them my prayers become desperate. And it’s easy to become so buried in worries and fears that I can’t even lift up my eyes to see Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. Words fail utterly that I long to say. But as I bring all of that, every bit of it, in honesty to God in prayer, I feel the burdens being lifted from my shoulders that were never meant to be strong enough. He knows how hard this life is. He reminds me that’s why and how I can give it all to Him. That by giving it to Him, I am freed to follow Him and trust that He IS. Following Him, the true work begins trusting Him. Not relying on myself…not relying on this world shrouded in darkness. I thought about how before Jesus, the Son, came they were hoping for and expecting a king to free them from brutal Roman imperialism and rule. They longed for that king expecting another David – but David longed for God! And now we are longing for Jesus, the Son, Creator God to return. And He does return as we allow Him to work in our own hearts and minds. That is where the true work begins so needed by all of us. What do I need to let go of to truly trust God? Everything! Just as the disciples let go of everything to follow Jesus then, and by following knew Him to trust Him…I want to let go of everything that hinders and follow Him now and forever. He knows the Way for each one of us. It will always be with Him.