I AM BESIDE MYSELF

FEBRUARY

II Corinthians 5:13-14 – “For if we are beside ourselves it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  For the love of Christ compels us. . . .” 

Have you read a passage 500 times and then, at the 501st reading, you wonder, “What in the world does that mean?”  Recently, while reading Paul’s declaration in II Cor. 5:13, I paused and glued myself to the phrase, “beside ourselves.”  I have verbalized in the past that I’ve been “beside myself”.  What was I exactly expressing?  I thought I knew.  Since studying Paul’s usage of that phrase, I am convinced I did not know!  However, I now am able to truly say, with understanding, that I have a desire to be “beside myself” – for God! 

The phrase, in Greek, speaks of being "amazed, thrown into wonderment." It also means to be "out of one's mind"! Paul was accused of being "beside himself" in his defense of the Gospel (Acts. 26:24). Paul was impassioned for Christ. He was burdened for mankind lost without Jesus. In Romans 9:1 we find Paul mourning over his lost Jewish brethren. Paul's love for his fellow Jews and his deep grief over their unbelief carried him * beyond himself. Paul's love was not sensible and calculating. His love brought him to the point of abandonment of himself. There was no self-realization in Paul's commitment to declaring the Gospel. He was not concerned about what people thought of him. Nor was he riveted on his physical well-being. 

Do we have a desire to be "beside ourselves"? How can we boldly step out for God? II Corinthians 5:14 proclaims, "The love of Christ compels us. . . ." "Compels" means "pressure that causes action." 

Lord, cause us to be bold for You as we share Jesus with a lost and dying world.

For those of you who read the monthly newsletter that we forward via Email, you might recall reading of God's mighty work in the January update.  Stay tuned.  The February newsletter will soon be reaching those who have signed up to receive the ministry news.  At first pass, you might think, "This is not such a grandiose news blast" when you read the latest.  BUT GOD. . . .!!!!   I have been "beside myself."  I have been amazed at God's workings since mid-January ' and I've been thrown into wonderment.  I am, at the moment, joyfully regarding a "delayed passion."  You may be in the midst of a "delayed passion" - wondering what is going on in your life!  Focus on God and Who He is and His great love for you.  Looking forward to visiting in the February newsletter!

 In Him, Cathy Wilson

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