Freedom From...

Year 8-Day 102: Today, I am grateful for freedom from distress, despair and destruction. 

When my sister, April, died from a heart defect just two weeks before her wedding day, we chose the song - "Do I Trust You Lord" by Twila Paris as one of her funeral songs. Sometimes, life happens and it is completely absurd, unexpected and out of our control. That song always takes me back to the question, "Do I Trust You, Lord?". 

On the day after the crucifixion... the disciples must have felt defeated, distressed, fearful, forsaken and more than a little anxious. They spent Saturday wondering if they were wrong about Jesus. What had they missed? Why did the miracle worker they knew was capable of disappearing into thin air allow himself to be taken, beaten, tried in a kangaroo court and hung on a cross between two criminals? Their despair must have been nearly tangible. 

The silence of Saturday... the Jewish Sabbath during Passover... must have echoed with questions and doubt. Don't forget, my friends, God is often quiet or even silent. Don't mistake those moments of stillness for an absence. He is always with us. He promised. He keeps his promises. 


"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:8-9

"We are perplexed, but not drive to despair." Isn't that the best? We don't have to fret and wonder because our ticket to freedom is purchased. Paid In Full!

This is an important day in Holy Week. Here we can decide what we believe.The grave thinks it has the victory... but listen up... someone is rolling away the stone. Trust me... Sunday is on the way. 

Today, I am grateful for freedom from distress, despair and destruction.