St. Patrick, Pt. 4

“I arise today
with God’s strength to pilot my course,
with God’s power to uphold me,
with God’s wisdom to guide me..."

In his confession, Patrick describes himself thus:

"I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many..."

"...today I feel ashamed and I am mightily afraid to expose my ignorance, because, [I am not] eloquent, with a small vocabulary..."

But he didn't allow that to keep him from doing that to which God had called him:

"Therefore be amazed, you great and small who fear God, and you men of God, eloquent speakers, listen and contemplate. Who was it summoned me, a fool, from the midst of those who appear wise and learned in the law and powerful in rhetoric and in all things? Me, truly wretched in this world, he inspired before others that I could be-- if I would-- such a one who, with fear and reverence, and faithfully, without complaint, would come to the people to whom the love of Christ brought me and gave me in my lifetime, if I should be worthy, to serve them truly and with humility."

This is a great example of what Paul wrote: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."(1 Cor. 1:27)

I don't know about you, but this gives me great hope! I am often astounded at my own foolishness. Yet I have seen God do amazing things in me and through me -- things that are so far outside of my own abilities that I can only attribute them to Him.

Always remember that, if we are seeking God, no matter our level of learning or worldly wisdom, His wisdom will guide us.

Oddly enough

Check out this headline:

Cemetery Full, Mayor Tells Locals Not To Die

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St. Patrick - Pt. 3

Sorry for the late posting...

"I arise today
with God’s strength to pilot my course,
with God’s power to uphold me..."

After having sailed from his enslavement in Ireland with the crew of a ship, whom he described as "barbarian", he was at sea for three days. When they landed, the men traveled together overland through wilderness where they encountered no other humans for 4 weeks. Their food ran out and they became desperate to satisfy their hunger.

In their frustration, the others turned to Patrick with this indictment: "Why is it, Christian? You say your God is great and all-powerful; then why can you not pray for us? For we may perish of hunger; it is unlikely indeed that we shall ever see another human being." Patrick encouraged them to seek out the Lord for themselves and said, "because nothing is impossible for him, so that today he will send food for you on your road, until you be sated." That day, God sent a herd of wild pigs to them and saved the lot.

Patrick knew of the power of God and was bold to proclaim it. He knew that God had a plan and would exercise His will to draw these men to himself -- which, by the way, was the result.

How do we receive this power in our own lives? Acts 1:8 states, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..."

We must rely upon the strength of God, experienced by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us and not on our own power, to sustain us in the extremes of life. We are frail beings, made to depend upon the power of our creator. We who know Him, know this power is there, but too often forget that it is available to us.

It simply takes faith.

I Arise Today - Pt. 2

"I arise today
with God's strength to pilot my course..."

At the age of 16, Patrick, not yet having knowledge of the one true God, was taken captive from his home in England and sold into slavery in Ireland. It was during this time of captivity that He became aware of God and began his journey toward becoming a believer.

In his own words: "And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son."

As his faith grew, he began to sense the leading of God in all areas of his life, including a 200-mile trek, on foot, across Ireland, led by the Holy Spirit, to a particular ship which would take him away from this land and his captors.

When Moses and the people of Israel had escaped the pursuit of the Egyptians, they sang a song of celebration. One of the lines says:

“In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling." (Ex. 15:13)

They knew that God had led them out of their captivity by His power and that they could rely upon that strength and guidance to see them through the remainder of their days.

Even though we know these things about God and how He works, it's good to be reminded of them on a daily basis, isn't it? This is where Patrick is coming from when he writes this.

Let us "not forget all His benefits." (Ps. 103:2b)

I Arise Today - pt. 1

Today I begin a series of posts based upon a poem of St. Patrick’s. We will look at one line each day adding to the previous lines as we go, leading up to St. Patrick's Day on the 17th of this month.

Here's how it begins...

"I arise today…"

When you read his confessional and look at the work that Patrick did throughout the nation of Ireland; when you consider the fact that he was working in a society built upon paganism with but a few pockets of Christianity; when you realize that he was in his 40's when this work began and by the time he passed away Christianity was "running rampant" across the island -- this phrase, "I arise today..." takes on new meaning.

The Lord had work for him -- a lot of work. I would imagine that he made every day count and knew that as he arose each morning there were divine appointments awaiting his attention.

May we look to this example, provided by David:

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn. (Psalm 57:7-8)

Our day should always begin with this exuberant desire to worship our creator and be the "steadfast" person that he desires us to be -- ready to arise and see to the work He has for us.