Originally printed in the Easter Devotions book from Spring 1998
NOT MINE
Not mine Lord, not mine.
Lord through me let Your light shine.
Surrendered to your will divine
The good through me is Thine.
Not mine, O Lord, not mine!
Yours is the power supreme!
When on You I learn to lean
On Your promises I will rest
And so will I grow in Christlikeness.
Yours the power Lord, not mine, not mine!
-Mary Houchins
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
-2 Peter 1:3-4 King James Version
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As Easter season approaches, it reminds me of a portion of a poem I remember from my school days (I don’t know if this was all or part of the poem and I don’t know the author)
“Be still sad heart and cease repining
Behind the clouds the sun is still shining
Some days must be dark and dreary”
The above could be said about most of the things in life as we experience the peaks
and valleys of our everyday opportunities.
The disciples and followers of JESUS must have had sad hearts on Good Friday when JESUS was crucified at Calvary. That Friday they did not know that behind the clouds the “SON” was still shining.
-Al Hollins
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16 King James Version
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Easter and spring flowers seem to go together. The crocus and daffodils have such color coming out of the brown harshness of winter. Even as Christ was risen from the harsh grave.
The smell of spring and new grass and leaves speaks of the new life and rebirth. On Palm Sunday the palm branches are so humble, so ready for service as they are used to celebrate Christ coming. The Easter lily in its purity of white, its tall statute of truth, its fragrant of God’s holiness seem to speak out for the risen Lord.
We don’t need manmade beauty to celebrate Easter but the beauty of God’s nature itself is breathtaking.
-Celie Smith
“17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”
-Isaiah 33:17 King James Version