They Rested
When a funeral is over and you go back home, there is an unusual oddness that seems to permeate existance. It's a sort of blank feeling mixed with a heavy heart and lack of direction. "Well, what am I supposed to do, now?' can be an unspoken thought running its course throughout every other thought.
The Bible tells us that Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus down from the cross, wrapped it with cloths and laid it in a tomb. The women who had come with Jesus out of Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid there. Then, "on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment." What thoughts must have been in their minds as they returned home? Surely, they were exhausted and filled with tremendous grief. They obeyed the commandment. They rested.
Friday, March 21, 2008
In the Garden
I attended a Good Friday service this evening. As visitors were admitted in to the building, we were invited to walk to several different areas for personal reflection. On one table there were long thorns from the type of bush that is thought to have been the one used to create Jesus' crown. Going on further, there were nails, spikes and a roughly constructed hammer. As I moved from one emphasis to another, I had been instructed to place one of the small reminders of the suffering of Jesus into a bag that had been given to all those who entered. Among them was a single thorn, a nail, and a cross. At each area, a written message was provided for the participants. Nearing the end, we were encouraged by the realization that Jesus did not stay in the tomb. He's alive!
I wonder what the garden looked like that surrounded the tomb where Jesus was laid? Would it have been filled with blooming flowers or vines cascading from the rocks? From it's very creation, Jesus knew it would be the chosen place for the resurrection.
Today, on Good Friday, I am in a quiet mood as I consider all that Jesus endured in order to offer salvation and forgiveness of our sin.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Mount of Olives
What are your habits? Occasionally, our son's dog will get out. When she does, the neighborhood hunt begins. Our family descends on backyards and driveways, leashes and collars in hand, ready for the catch. If we hadn't seen her when she escaped the confines of our home, we begin our search at one specific place--the house in the cul de sac with multiple pets. It has proven to be a favorite spot for our young explorer. So, what about you? Do people know where to look for you? What about me?
Jesus knew what He was about to endure on the cross. What did He do? He spent time with His disciples and He went to the Mount of Olives to pray. The Bible tells us in Luke 22:39 that, "He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives;" It was His custom. What is our example? We must pray. We must acknowledge that God is with us always, in constant awareness of our prayers. Is it your custom to pray? When times are difficult are others likely to find you communicating with God?
Distractions seem to draw me away from what I know is best; often I find myself distraught over a matter, without first praying for guidance and peace in the situation. As I continue in my walk through life with the realization that Jesus is my Savior, perhaps the distractions will become less effective and my focus will grow ever clearer on what He would have me to do. It should be my custom to pray.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rest
I have a lot of childhood memories. Some of them are good and some of them are, well, not so good. I can recall being very anxious about certain things that were beyond my control. Tucked away in my mind are recollections of how God comforted me in those times of need. It was almost a feeling of relief as I relinquished my heavy emotional load in the realization of His help. God was showing me even then that I could bring my fearful thoughts to Him. After all these years, I still have not forgotten His faithfulness to me as a child.
The journey from worry to calm is not traveled alone. God is there to show us His control over situations that disturb us and steal our joy. Our salvation comes from Him.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I Will Praise You Forever
They all looked so pretty in the parking lot. Yesterday, the store I was about to enter had rows of flowers and plants for sale, greeting every customer that drove by. I just had to get a closer look. After some careful perusing, I chose three plants to purchase. One of the plants looked healthy, but had no bloom. I could see what type it was by looking at the leaves and the information on the pot. I didn't know exactly what color it would be. I chose it anyway. I would just have to wait and see.
It was already dark when I removed my new plants from their containers and transplanted them into a ceramic foliage bowl. I carefully lifted each one out of their nursery pots, their intricate maze of roots intertwining with the damp and arid soil. Gently I placed them into their new home. After watering my new treasures, I left them near our front fountain, joining other splashes of color from hearty plants already in place.
When I came home after work today, I glanced toward the fountain area. A beautiful, solitary pink bloom was emerging from the clump of leaves. Delicate and new, it was proudly unfolding. I was very pleased.
God understands us even when we have trouble knowing our own selves. He sees the potential for gorgeous blooms, though the rest of the world may only see leaves. He takes note of our stature, believing that we can grow to new heights if we only allow Him to transplant, water and prune us to His liking. He gently lifts us out of the comfortable soil into the new larger containers of life where we can expand and grow as we were created to.
Even when we cannot detect the "bloom" in ourselves or in others, cherish the fact that God sees what we cannot. In His perfect timing, a burst of color will come forth, announcing God's sovereign work in our lives, producing fragrant petals for His glory.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Love One Another
Yesterday I heard a man speak about his experience with cancer earlier in his life. He recounted the ordeal of chemotherapy and his time spent at the hospital. Determined to serve God throughout any circumstance, he walked the halls of the hospital with his IV in tow, going from room to room asking a simple question: "Is there something I can pray for you about?"
Even in his weakened state, he desired to reach out to others in the name of Christ. Jesus said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:12) As I begin my day tomorrow, I hope I will ask myself, "How can I show God's love to someone else today?"
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Vine
What can I do without God? What "fruit" will my life produce? All that is meaningful will be a direct result of my relationship with Him. Through His guidance and His strength, I can accomplish many things, bearing fruit.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Anguish
It's Easter time. A season of reflection about what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has done for us. The pain and agony that He endured was the payment for our sin. What is sin? I've been told that it's anything that you say, think or do that displeases God. All of us are guilty. All of us may be forgiven. Jesus paid the price. We need only to accept this payment, repent of our mistakes, and, believing in Him, allow Him to guide us as we live out our lives no longer condemned.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Forgive Them
Our son was attending a reinactment of the last supper with Jesus. It was taking place in a nearby town. They had unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They removed their shoes and had their feet washed. As I waited outside for the conclusion of the meeting, I walked around the church grounds, browsing. I was unfamiliar with several areas. Lovely trees, blooming flowers. I passed a quiet memorial garden bathed in the sound of a bubbling rock fountain.
Just beyond, I saw them. I hadn't noticed them before. Standing tall into the dusky sky were three crosses. The one in the center was draped in a long, flowing purple cloth. In years past, I had seen other crosses displayed by the side of the highway or at other churches. This was the first time I had ever stood at the foot of a cross.
Jesus died to purchase a way for all people to spend eternity with Him. He heals, He saves, and He forgives. Thank You, Lord, for forgiving me....
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Follow Me
You can always find them. That is, if you're up that early. At the most inconvenient times, it seems, fishermen are out in their trucks, pulling their boats to a nearby lake. Later in the day, rows of trucks can be seen lining the shores. Why go to all this trouble? The answer has many facets; however, the bottom line is this--fishermen love to fish.
How do I know? Think about it: almost everyone works hard for their income. Great care is taken in deciding how to spend it. Trucks and boats are expensive. Fishing gear isn't cheap. People spend their money and time on what they really care about. Television shows are devoted solely to the topic of better fishing. Monthly magazines model the newest way to fish successfully. Those who are found searching the waters for the catch of the day never tire of hearing of the latest challenge of another fishing buddy.
I think I have finally figured out what I really want to do in life. I want to be a fisher. A fisher of men.
If I speak, I want it to somehow draw someone closer to God. If I write, I want it to do the same. If I teach, my desire is to bring others closer to Him. If I take photographs, I want them to bring God glory as they speak silently to those who view them. If I sing, I want the words to turn the ears of those who listen toward their loving Father.
Where should I go to fish? Down the road. Up the hill. At the store. In my home. The hospital, the church, the gas station, the school. I will have to be intentional. God will teach me along the way. The question will be: Do I really want to fish?
If the answer is yes, His instruction is simple: "Follow Me."
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