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LaBèlla said:

@Tony B .... I think you'll enjoy this. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You … I have appointed sentinel … when you hear me … warn them for me. …
I will hold you responsible. —Ezekiel 33:7-8

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. —Matthew 18:18

Returning from Europe in the midst of WWII, Thomas Kelly, a Quaker, wrote the little book, A Testament of Devotion, now a spiritual classic. In one of its poignant essays, he states words that ring true almost 80 years later, "An awful solemnity is upon the earth, for the last vestige of earthly security is gone. It has always been gone, and religion has always said so, but we haven't believed it. … and there is no escape for you or for me. There is an inexorable amount of suffering in all life, blind, aching, unremovable, not new but only terribly intensified in these days."

Thomas Kelley speaks of bearing the burden of your suffering which must be and can only be borne by you. He poetically notes, "The heart is stretched through suffering, and enlarged. But O the agony of this enlarging of the heart, that one may be prepared to enter into the anguish of others!"

And, herein is the essence of his message: that we are to enter into our own suffering as well as the suffering of others, build up what needs to be lifted, and loosen the burdens of those around us. Further, for this work – which is real work – we are responsible and accountable.

"Within the wider fellowship emerges the special circle of a few on whom, for each of us, a particular emphasis of nearness has fallen. These are our special gift and task. These we 'carry' by inward, wordless prayer. By an interior act and attitude we lift them repeatedly before the throne and hold them there in power. This is work, real labor of the soul.

It takes energy but it is done in joy. … From each individual the bonds of special fellowship radiate near and far. The total effect, in a living Church is sufficient intersection of these bonds to form a supporting, carrying network of love for the whole of humankind. … It is as if the boundaries of our self were enlarged, as if we were within them and as if they were within us."

Principle (Examen)

Again, we are called – appointed, says the prophet – to form a worldwide network of lifting up humanity "before the throne" on the altars of our hearts, in the power of Christ, in the radiance of love-incarnate.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

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LaBèlla said:

Again, we are called – appointed, says the prophet – to form a worldwide network of lifting up humanity "before the throne" on the altars of our hearts, in the power of Christ, in the radiance of love-incarnate

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LaBèlla said:

Thomas Kelley speaks of bearing the burden of your suffering which must be and can only be borne by you. He poetically notes, "The heart is stretched through suffering, and enlarged. But O the agony of this enlarging of the heart, that one may be prepared to enter into the anguish of others!"

Click to expand...

LaBèlla said:

@Tony B .... I think you'll enjoy this. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You … I have appointed sentinel … when you hear me … warn them for me. …
I will hold you responsible. —Ezekiel 33:7-8

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. —Matthew 18:18

Returning from Europe in the midst of WWII, Thomas Kelly, a Quaker, wrote the little book, A Testament of Devotion, now a spiritual classic. In one of its poignant essays, he states words that ring true almost 80 years later, "An awful solemnity is upon the earth, for the last vestige of earthly security is gone. It has always been gone, and religion has always said so, but we haven't believed it. … and there is no escape for you or for me. There is an inexorable amount of suffering in all life, blind, aching, unremovable, not new but only terribly intensified in these days."

Thomas Kelley speaks of bearing the burden of your suffering which must be and can only be borne by you. He poetically notes, "The heart is stretched through suffering, and enlarged. But O the agony of this enlarging of the heart, that one may be prepared to enter into the anguish of others!"

And, herein is the essence of his message: that we are to enter into our own suffering as well as the suffering of others, build up what needs to be lifted, and loosen the burdens of those around us. Further, for this work – which is real work – we are responsible and accountable.

"Within the wider fellowship emerges the special circle of a few on whom, for each of us, a particular emphasis of nearness has fallen. These are our special gift and task. These we 'carry' by inward, wordless prayer. By an interior act and attitude we lift them repeatedly before the throne and hold them there in power. This is work, real labor of the soul.

It takes energy but it is done in joy. … From each individual the bonds of special fellowship radiate near and far. The total effect, in a living Church is sufficient intersection of these bonds to form a supporting, carrying network of love for the whole of humankind. … It is as if the boundaries of our self were enlarged, as if we were within them and as if they were within us."

Principle (Examen)

Again, we are called – appointed, says the prophet – to form a worldwide network of lifting up humanity "before the throne" on the altars of our hearts, in the power of Christ, in the radiance of love-incarnate.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

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Tony B said:

What a great read, and I love your interpretations and observations too...all very nicely put.

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LaBèlla said:

Tony B,

I view the alabaster’s breaking as a fundamental step. But yielding never happens all at once. Every rung takes us deeper in Him. We see what lies ahead but rarely know what He’ll ask.

I believe surrender is progressive and approach it as daily bread. While I aim to do His will there are moments when my own wins out. Every instance of ‘mine‘ is an unyielded place within me. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

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LaBèlla said:

When I originally skimmed the message the highlighted portion stood out. A closer read yielded the same and I knew the Lord was nudging me towards it. I've contemplated the words from different angles to determine the lesson I needed to grasp. I knew it wasn't the obvious. Joining others in their suffering was a hallmark of my closest connections. Nor am I oblivious to others experiencing pain and have little difficulty reaching out.

Sometimes the answer isn't the obvious one. Am I neglecting someone? Have I failed to come alongside in situations where my presence would be well served? Am I accessible when needed? I could continue that line of thought.

But I recalled a comment from my mastermind by one of the members which put the message in a different frame. We discussed a program we'd taken and related the challenges some participants experienced. She noted the leader's inability to answer questions because the task was delegated to others. The cessation of hands-on involvement affected her mindset. Things appeared easier than they were for others shouldering everything on their own.

I applied the remarks to myself and realized I was doing the same inadvertently. While the intention was good—helping others—the reality of difference is too great. My personal solution for challenges is seeking an expert. Whether its a resource or individual providing guidance. I'm spending money nonetheless. Much like she noted about my coach. You're out of touch and don't realize it.

I am beginning to understand why the Lord pulled me back from some activities and advised me against others. I'm not the right fit and it isn't an effective use of my gifts. They're needed elsewhere.

I have a growing burden for Christian entrepreneurs. I encouraged the ladies a couple of weeks ago and was in my element. Speaking to their needs and motivating them warmed my heart. It didn't have to downplay anything and they received my words genuinely. It felt good.

I want to do more of that and lend support where needed and remove my hands elsewhere. I don't want to appear insensitive or make anyone feel bad. As one door closes another opens. That's the wonderful thing about walking with God. You never know what to expect.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

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LaBèlla said:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." —Psalm 127:1

Watching God supernaturally put things together is deeply moving. I was ready to receive the message and witnessed the gathering firsthand. Letting go isn't difficult. The harvest is greater than anything I've relinquished.

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