sleepless nights

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,  but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by

great endurance,

in afflictions,

hardships,

calamities, 

beatings,

imprisonments,

riots,

labors,

sleepless nights,

hunger; 

by purity,

knowledge,

patience,

kindness,

the Holy Spirit,

genuine love;

by truthful speech,

and the power of God; {with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;}

through honor and dishonor,

through slander and praise.

We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are NOT restricted by us, but you are restricted in YOUR OWN affections. In return (I speak as to children) (((((((( widen )))))))) your hearts also.”

-2Cor. 6:2-13

I love how the Message says verses 11-13: “Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this (((((( wide-open )))))), spacious life. [We didn’t fence you in]. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!”