In Christ

 In Christ-I was puttering away on my computer on morning when the phrase
"In Christ" popped into my mind. Born-again Christians are very familiar
with this term, of course, but, for everybody else, it is, basically, the
privileges of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The list of
privileges is lengthy indeed so I have just selected a few to comment on.

In Christ, I am a child of God. I have been a Christian for a lot years but
it still blows my mind that the Almighty God, Creator of the whole universe,
is my Dad. And not only that. Because Jesus is the Son of God, that makes
Him my brother. WOW!

In Christ, I am an imitator of Jesus or, as the Bible says, as He is so are
we. That means, if He is loving, so am. If He is merciful and compassionate,
so am. If He is good and kind, so am I. And so on and so on. I don't
always act like Jesus but the potential is in me.

In Christ, I truly blessed. I am blessed to have been chosen to be part of
God's family. I admit that, at times, I feel anything but blessed. But, once
my emotions have settled down enough to start thinking straight again, I
realize I am truly blessed. I always think that one of the biggest blessings
in my life is simply knowing that I am not going to hell.

In Christ, I have peace. After all the turmoil and depression of the
preceding months, that peace that came over me when I first become a
Christian was wonderful. Over long years of living with extremely difficult
circumstances, it has become more difficult to maintain the peace I had when
I first became a Christian. It can be done, though. When I don't give into
negative emotions.

In Christ, I am protected. It is comforting to know that, because I am a
child of God, nothing can really hurt me. Even though different trials and
hardships come to all Christians, nothing is going to take us out until God
decides it is time. I know that it is not my time to go so God has His
shield of protection around me. For me, personally, I believe that, by
having he in Long-term Care, He is protecting me from a lot of things I
would have to face if I were "out in the world".

In Christ, I am strong. Obviously, not physically. I feel pretty weak and
seem to be getting weaker. However, after so many years of going through
what I am going through, I have become strong, both mentally and
spiritually. I have had to. It is either get strong, with God's strength and
not my own, or pack it in!

In Christ, l can cast all my cares on the Lord. Meaning I can tell Him my
worries and then forget about them, knowing that He will take care of them.
Maybe not the way I want but the way that is best for me. Years ago, God
told me that there are a lot of "fishermen" Christians. They cast these
cares on Him and, then, reel them back in. I know that I am one of those at
times!

In Christ, I have my needs met. But God is the one who decides if it is
really a need or not. I often catch myself telling God that I need something
but, when I really think about it, I realize that it is more like something
I want. I like to think of it this way. If something is a real need, I will
have it for sure. But, sometimes, God will give me things I don't really
need just because He is so good. As long as it won't harm me in any way.

These are just a few of the good things we have when we are "in Christ".
There are many more. I read them every day as a reminder. I especially need
this reminder on "off" days when everything seems bleak and hopeless.