I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

 Philippians 3: 8-11

 

Something has come between you and me, Father.
I don’t sense your usual love.
There’s a distance I had not known before.

But I do feel the suffering of your Son.
I can identify.
In fellowship we suffer together.

Abandoned by friends,
Hated like never before,
Crucified, though doing good.

And all we had wanted was to help the hurting,
to be there for those in need,
to make good come out of bad.

Oh for that day when I can go home,
to know your compassion,
to taste your love once more.

marja