If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9
“The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him, and to be manifested according as they could bear it, not vitiating the value of the Divine appearing by exceeding their capacity to receive it.”
Athanasius of Alexandria (296-373) in On the Incarnation 7.43. Athanasius is the fourth of the four doctors of the Eastern Church that I have revisited this week in their writings.
I read Athanasius today as I am excited to be going to Alexandria today. My NABLA meetings in the Egyptian desert, very close to where the desert fathers lived 17 centuries ago, have exceeded expectations.
In my work with GTP, it’s been a privilege to make disciples of faithful administration here and to help form the peer accountability group. It was a joy to celebrate the accreditation of the first 6 organizations.
From here, like Christ, my aim is not to put myself on display but to put myself “at the disposal” of those who need me. I am learning that generous service is making yourself available to be with people.
This is not easy for me. Perhaps it is hard for you too? And providentially, it matches the verse God gave me for this trip. “Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you” (Genesis 26:3).