Existence

'Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him;
And one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.'
I Corinthians 8.6

'For in Him we live, and move, and exist.' Acts 17.28

I am not a theologian, by any sense of the word, but I know this is full of all kinds of jewels if unpacked well. Dale would say, 'this is preachable'. But as I read these verses yesterday, I was whelmed by them, partly because of their richness, I think partly because yesterday marked a year and a half since Dale's passing, which has made my own existence so very different.

I have learned much in this past year and a half. So much, I think it would be hard for me to even begin to try to pen it all. I have learned things, that I will always keep to myself, as I have learned the hard way, people, though they try, just don't get it, unless they have lost a spouse. In the same way it is hard for me to understand someone, who has lost a child, or gone through a divorce, I haven't experienced those things. One can't be expected to understand something they don't know.

I have learned I can only live, and move, and exist, for and through Christ, regardless my circumstances. Daily I tell the Lord I can't do today without Him. Most days I don't have the desire, drive, purpose or energy to want to do. Daily He gives me the strength and mind set to get the laundry done, balance the checkbook, go to the grocery store, fix the plumbing, cut wood, work in the office...you have similar lists. Yet everything I do is because of Him. Everything I do is for Him, because He is my very breath. He gave me my first breath. He created me in my mothers womb, and gave me life when those two small living organisms, one from my mom and one from my dad, met and became one. Me. My life. My existence. And if that weren't enough, He gave me spiritual life. He gave Himself up in death for three days, rose again giving victory over death, for me, so that I might exist. So how can I not live for Him? How can I not live through Him. He is my very being. Therefore, should not my life in every aspect reflect Him, whether it be easy or difficult circumstances?

"...the chief end of man is to glorify God." I believe that is a loose translation, but the fact is clear. I exist because of Christ. I exist for Christ. I exist through Christ. I breath because of Christ. It is my goal to daily, regardless how well or poorly, to walk well. To strive to live Jesus in all I do and say. It is my desire to glorify the One who has give me the opportunity, the privilege, to do just that.