"Crucified with Christ..."

In my Bible memory review today, I came to Galatians 2:20:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

It was like this verse HIT me... hard!

I was laying in bed, sick... when I tried to get up for the day I ended up back in bed, not well enough to continue getting ready! This, of course, is after a 16-week illness, the last 5 days being more difficult than most.

And there it was, right in front of me. I am crucified with Christ. It doesn't matter that I am so sick that I can't get out of bed. Christ lives in me! My life, which seems to consist of one giant illness right now, is the Lord's! He has given me new life. And this life that I now live, though I find myself in undesirable circumstances, is His. I am to, simply, live what I have by faith in the Son of God. It doesn't matter that I don't have "what I want". I have what He has given me... Look at exactly what He has given: HIMSELF! He loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Wow. Did I mention it was like this verse HIT me?

What am I tempted to complain about? The Son of God loves me, and gave Himself for me.

Thoughts of what was "bad" 10 minutes ago fled away, as I realized this was my verse today. The Lord had given it to me as His truth to my heart, on this difficult day. And I found, again, that the "difficulty" just doesn't compare to Him!

Lord, teach me these truths, over and over again! Thank you for opportunity to learn (and feel) what it is like to understand this today, in this circumstance. Teach me the same for tomorrow! Thank You for loving me, and giving Yourself for me. There are no words. You have been good to me. Teach me, truly, that I am crucified with Christ, and this life is no longer mine, but Yours. Amen.