Joy in Persecution

Joy in Persecution

(...)

     Those who practice and preach a deep, inward relationship with Christ will indeed suffer much persecution.

          Nothing has any value but the love of God and doing His will. There is no happiness outside of Him. The joy born from giving yourself totally to Him no man can take from you. My only desire is to completely give myself up into the hands of God without any idea of turning back or of fear of what may happen to me. 

     And when I am in your will, O Lord, how can I be anything but content? When God's love makes you a free citizen of His realm, what power can imprison you? When God fills your heart with Himself, this world looks very small indeed. I love you, my Lord, not only as King of the universe, but for You Yourself. And I love You and all your people for your sake alone. 

     You have become so united with me that You are the Spirit of my spirit and the Life of my life. I have become so entwined in You that I could not exist by myself. If everyone forsakes me, You my Divine Lover, live. And I live in You.

     This is the deep well where I hide myself during times of persecution. How wonderful it is to be lost in God! How wonderful to be abandoned to His will alone!

     How happy you will be when you no longer live by your own strength but by God's. Who can separate you from God? Absolutely no one can pluck you from your Father's hand. All is well when you are so united with Him.

-This is a short passage from Intimacy with Christ by Jeanne Guyon.
-Jeanne Guyon is known as the greatest woman in church history.
 

----------

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? -Romans 8:35

Blessings to you reader!