Year 8-Day 105: Today, I am grateful for the lessons learned when we are alone.
"The caterpillar grows wings during a season of isolation. Remember that next time you're alone. - Mandy Hale
We are in a season of isolation. We didn't ask for it, but here we are. I've heard quiet confessions as some of us are finding mixed blessings hidden in this season of slowing down. As we practice intentional distancing from the chaos and the crowds, some are finding something unexpected... a quiet contentment.
Too much isolation is unhealthy for man. God designed us for relationships... with Him and each other... but so many of us have spent decades on the run with little time for real relationships. We've been living tightly wound, with very few margins in our days. There is little room to take a deep breath. We ride the merry-go-round, but we never really enjoy the ride.
Here we are in the midst of something scary, tragic and difficult, yet many of us are breathing a little easier in this forced waiting place. Yes...we are living a semicolon existence; paused and unsure of what comes next. We need to really pay attention to what comes next.
While some are focusing on the fear, others are finding a quiet place of hope and faith. In the midst of the most difficult days of fighting an unfamiliar virus as a patient, loved one or caregiver, courage blooms and loving kindness spreads. (Check out John Krasinski's "Some Good News" on YouTube) When face to face with that thing you fear most... sometimes... you have to relentlessly choose to press in and press through.
We are a few days past Easter, the celebration of resurrection is still fresh in our minds. Such a victorious ending to what felt like a disaster only five days ago. A little time and a little perspective can change so much. But, there are times when hard stuff is just that... hard.
I remember when Jesus heard that the King's daughter had asked for John the Baptist's head on a silver platter. Jesus had been actively preaching, teaching and healing people to the point of exhaustion when word came about his cousin, John's death.
Jesus and John the Baptist had been boys together, born months apart. Both were miracle babies. Their mother's were cousins and close friends. News of John's death by beheading must have been devastating. Still, the people pressed in on Jesus, never allowing him to pause and grieve. He was nearly forced to keep going. Then, he took an intentional break from the people... even his closest friends and disciples. He isolated himself.
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. -Matthew 14:13
He chose alone in the boat and the wilderness so he could be still in the presence of the Father. He could weep, pray or maybe take a nap. We don't know exactly how he spent the time, but we know it was a time to recharge. We know that he would rejoin the disciples later that night in a boat by walking to them on the water. His miracles were increasingly bold and extraordinary.
The tragedy of John the Baptist's death was real. we know Jesus had the power to resurrect John like he did Jairus's daughter and Lazarus, but he didn't. Jesus prayed through the sorrow and did not "undo" the evil. Two thousand years later, we can't explain why he allowed it, but we can trust His heart and His hand. Perhaps this passage gave him comfort:
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. -Isaiah 57:1-2
John the Baptist had gained new life. He would be spared the evil to come, the earthly experience of watching Jesus die. When more than one gospel records something, it appears to be something very important. Important enough to be emphasized by more than one recorder and reporter. Look at this passage:
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart." -Matthew 12:35 & John 6:45
Good and evil are still co-existing on this planet. One day, that will change, but until it does... we will face trials and trouble. It doesn't mean God is absent or doesn't care. It means that we do not see as he see. We are looking through human eyes and not God goggles. Jesus intentionally took time alone ... as my GPS would say... to "recalculate".
Pause. Ponder. Pray. Proceed. In seasons of isolation, we can practice doing the same. It changes everything.
Today, I am grateful for the lessons learned when we are alone.
Year 8-Day 104: Today, I am grateful "He is risen, indeed!"
The day after Easter. Does everything go back to normal?
This year, nothing feels normal with quarantines and Covid-19. Right? But this IS the day after Easter. Nothing should feel normal. We have new life. We have been redeemed. We are joint heirs with Jesus when we respond to the offer... the gift... the victory... and embrace a new life.
I just watched Liz Curtis-Higgs talking about the women of Easter morning. She always make me smile. She can tell a story like few others. Her retelling of the Easter morning events brought it to life, erasing the 2000 plus years in between.
After the women reported to the men what had happened, some of the guys ran to the tomb. Did they not believe the girls? Let's face it, we are inclined as humans to want to see things for ourselves.
This little snippet of scripture adds additional credibility to the women's story:
saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” -Luke 24:34
As Jesus appeared initially to a select few, and then to his disciples in a group... they were slowly able to process the reality of the incredible. They were witnesses to the crucifixion, the burial and then... the proof of resurrection.
As word of the resurrection spread, so did the anticipation of seeing Jesus for themselves. In time, the proof of his resurrection was hard to deny as more and more people encountered Jesus. Some were hoping for the experience. Others were surprised when Jesus showed up unexpected.
Is that how it is today? While some long to spend time with Jesus, others are surprised when He shows up. Miracles are still happening. His resurrection is still bringing new life.
Today, I am grateful "He is risen, indeed!"
Year 8-Day 103: I am grateful today is about an empty tomb... not an empty church.
I love that line I've seen many places in this past week.
This is the most sacred of Holy days for the Christian. If we don't believe in the resurrection of Christ, the rest doesn't mean much. There are good people who worship God in many ways... "God as they know him" is the popular phrase. What it truly means to be "Christian" is what we believe in our hearts without a doubt or wavering; it is about who Jesus is and what he came to do.
Jesus was, indeed, Heaven's Special Forces on a mission that took about 33 earth years to complete. In reality, the clock is God's timing, which is a mystery to us. The earthly timing had to be just right, from our point of view, too. His earthly parents had to be carefully chosen and ready to take on the gifts and challenges of raising a Holy child. Prophecy had to be fulfilled in very specific ways to bear proof that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. The perfection and execution of His plan is mind blowing... leaving the mathematicians speechless.
I was thinking this week about his preparation for what we know as "Holy Week" from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday. How did Jesus prepare? What is basic training for crucifixion?
After prayer and reading, I wonder if the real preparation for Calvary happened in the 40 days he spent in the desert fasting and praying. Hungry, thirsty and fully aware of his human skin, Jesus took on Satan's temptations. He endured the hunger and the thirst as a warrior. He was so weak at the end of the spiritual warfare, angels rushed to attend him. He had no human strength left.(See Matthew 4) Today, many faith denominations practice 40 days of giving something up for the Lenten season, honoring Jesus's time of testing in the desert.
I heard a clergy person speak recently about the past weeks of "giving up" many of our favorite things. What is God trying to say? Are listening? Don't misunderstand. I don't believe God sent this disease, but He is allowing it. We have had a chance to slow down and really focus on what we think we need and what we really need.
There is so much to ponder as we celebrate in a unique way this Easter.I find myself remembering that the first Easter was celebrated not in a church, but in a garden near a tomb. A garden is a beautiful place. It is full of birth and rebirth each spring.
How appropriate, right? We are used to celebrating as a congregation... and I do enjoy the unity in a congregational celebration... but I find myself reflecting on Mary Magdalene's weeping in the garden, alone near the tomb.(John 20) It is when Jesus appeared to her first. She felt lost, without a purpose and brokenhearted. Easter for her happened when Jesus gently spoke her name.
Yes, Easter was first celebrated in a garden near a tomb with a handful of women... and, then, in a house with an upper room where scared to death and defeated men were hiding. They ran to the tomb, for seeing is believing, right?
Are we in some ways, closer to that first Easter experience than we even realize? Where will you be when Jesus speaks your name? Where will you sit when you finally hear his voice calling you back into a relationship with him? It is what our souls long for with every breath. It is where there is peace. No matter what situation the world has created for itself, close to Him is where we can breathe deeply again.
We do not need to be discouraged or defeated. Death has been defeated and no longer has a hold on our souls. When we say, "Yes, Lord, you are mine and I am yours." We will drink the cup and eat the bread in memory of His sacrifice, His love, His purpose... and my friends, His victory. We win... because Jesus won.
"He is risen. He is risen, indeed!"
"He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." Matthew 28:6a
For every soul set free... Satan loses... again. He's a big loser. He's a crabby, lying, cheating, sore loser. That makes me almost giggle.
The church is stretching far and wide today wherever we speak the truth of His resurrection. It is alive and well in the homes and hearts of all who say "Yes to The Best".
Today, I am grateful today is about an empty tomb... not an empty church.
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.
Year 8-Day 101:Today, I am grateful "It is finished."
My friend, Susan, shares an hourly update from 6AM - 3PM on Good Friday of Jesus's last day leading up to the crucifixion. It is a powerful piece of writing a friend shares with her and she passes it along. She has done this for the past few years. It has become an important part of Good Friday for me.
Every hour it hard to read the reminders of his suffering, but it also contains the truth that Jesus chose the cross. He wasn't forced. He willingly took our place, out of love and compassion.
Jesus, alone, uniquely understood what it meant to be human and holy. He was both. He had so much compassion for our weaknesses and infirmities. He loved us at our worst... so why would we not want to give him our best?
"When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." -John 19:30
God's heart surely broke. "This hurts me more than it does you."... remember that line from our parents before discipline? As parents, we begin to understand the depth of God's love for us. In God terms, when the soul is involved, it is much bigger than children breaking curfew or family rules. He let Jesus take the punishment for all, so that all might have the opportunity to be saved.
Human suffering is a part of this life. God allows it, but it hurts him when His children are in distress. His goodness is not impacted by any life circumstance. How we respond in troubled time reflects where we are in relationship with Him and on our faith journey.
“You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” -Mark 8:33
On this day, Good Friday, perhaps we can pause and reflect on the fact that God did not spare Jesus the suffering, so that all who called him Lord would be saved.
After a long night and the most painful of days... finally... Jesus whispered, "It is finished." Make no mistake. He could have called 10,000 angels. He could have said "no" to the mission, he had a choice. He chose to redeem us. It wasn't finished until He said, "It is finished." Did heaven weep in sorrow or with tears of joy?
Today, I am grateful "It is finished."
Year 8-Day 100:Today, I am grateful for truth revealing questions.
I enjoyed good conversation today with one of our pastors. He checked in on us regarding the quarantine isolation. Talk with Tom is always easy. He is a natural listener, gentle and a lifelong learner.
He is one of those people you love digging into a topic with because he doesn't already know his answer when the conversation starts. He is as eager to learn as he is to teach. Critical thinking is more fun with friends. As Mama Ina Mae says,"Learn something new every day."
It is Maundy Thursday. The night we remember Jesus "Last Supper" with his disciples. Most of us see Leonardo Da Vinci's painting when we imagine the last supper. It is an artist's rendering, but has become the "snapshot" we see when we read the scriptures about that evening.
Jesus was famous for asking revealing questions. One of my favorite recordings of this character trait was when he asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" It was Peter who boldly responded:
"Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” - Matthew 16:15-16
While others danced around the question, Peter's response was bold and held his deep conviction. I do love Peter's passion and persistence!
As they shared the evening Passover meal, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. While some flat out denied the possibility, others seemed more in touch with their human weaknesses. That night, Peter and the other disciples asked the revealing questions, hoping Jesus would relieve their concerns and ease their minds.
Jesus knew. Judas knew. Still, he did not give them a direct answer. He let them ponder it and work it out for themselves.
"In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.” Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”"-Mark 14:17-19
As we look toward Good Friday, each of us will wrestle with how we see the cross. I used to hesitate to wear a cross, because I didn't want to shame it with my imperfect ways. I always feared being a "bad Christian" and a bad example. The truth is, none of us are good. Only Jesus is perfect and holy. I shared this hesitancy with a smart friend who replied that I might be better served to think of the cross as a price tag. I've re-framed my thinking ever since.
Only our God could take a man-made Roman instrument of punishment and death and turn it into a symbol of redemption, propitiation and hope. In his perfect plan, he had Jesus identified in all three of the common languages of the day, so anyone who looked at him would know who he was in their own language.
And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth,the King of the Jews.” The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. John 19:19-20
King of the Jews... but he was hanging there for the Romans, the Greeks and any who dared to look on his sacrifice and call him Lord.
He still requires each of us to respond to the same question he asked His disciples;
"Who do you say that I am?" It is a revealing question as we look at Good Friday more than 2000 years later.
Today, I am grateful for truth revealing questions.
Year 8-Day 99:Today, I am grateful for a new covenant.
It is Holy Week. On Thursday, we remember the night Jesus gathered with His disciples for one last meal before a few of them would head with him to the Garden of Gethsemane. There he would pray and await His arrest.
I cannot imagine the thoughts that ran through his mind. Judas would betray him. Peter was wound tight. Jesus had so much going on, but he took time to wash his disciples feet (John 13), share a meal and talk about what was to come.
The disciples could not see the crucifixion ahead. The the memory of the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday was so fresh. The people loved Jesus, right? Human emotions can be so fickle. They change like the wind.
What does not change is God's relentless pursuit of a relationship with the humans he lovingly created. Yes, he was silent for a number of years, but never absent. Then, when the time was right - everything came to pass as the prophets foretold.
Jesus mission was our redemption. He was heaven's special forces. He knew the assignment would mean suffering and death on a cross, but he never wavered from His purpose. His mission would include a new covenant, so that we could be free from the burden of our sins and the requirements for sin offerings. He became the offering, once and for all.
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. -Luke 22:20
"A new covenant... my blood poured out for you." He never gives up hope that we will return to Him.Easter is the perfect time to surrender to the love that is waiting for each of us. He is our best "yes".
Today, I am grateful for a new covenant.
