I haven't had time to write much of late. Lots of good things happening and I haven't had a lot of time to stop, be still and THINK!
We've had lots of activity going on and based on my last post, it takes me a little while to finally give up my hour! Today was absolutely gorgeous. I took my coffee on the porch and enjoyed doing some computer work there and taking care of some things for a friend of mine. The content of this post is varied. I wrote a post back in the summer that said something to the effect of "be nice to everyone, you don't know what battles they are fighting." It was on a sign at our local, WONDERFUL volunteer fire department. So, while reading this, it is a collective post for ALL of us. I know what my own personal battles are, but I do not know yours. It could be sickness, the loss of a loved one, financial issues...heck in this day and time, there could be any number of reasons that we are fighting our own battles. That said, I ask only that you contemplate your own life and ponder if you are living or existing. Hope springs eternal. Where there is sadness, there is also happiness. Where there is darkness, there is ALWAYS light. You just have to ask yourself the really hard questions and take the actions that your HEART gives the answers to. So, here goes my mish-mash of thoughts that I hope somewhere in these lines, as a reader, you might find hope, peace, joy and love. Life can be hard. On this Easter and every day after, the promises remain. While of course, the kids are dressed in their Easter finest, church pews are filled for the services, and chocolate bunnies abound, those things are not "Easter" any more than Santa Claus is "Christmas." God WANTS us to be joyful, have fun and celebrate. Like our own human parents, I think He simply wants us to REMEMBER what all the excitement is truly about. So here goes....my take on my own life and how Jesus made it so for me to ALWAYS have love and protection. (I'm laughing because, while this is a totally open post, I'm offering myself as an example for everyone who reads this that might be suffering in ANY way. Look UP! Things WILL be better!)
I spent a lot of time reading my Bible and thinking deeply on what times were REALLY like in the life of Jesus Christ. I considered how every single thing would have been an effort, real WORK went into accomplishing any task. Life was hard, and I feel that is probably more of an understatement than I can imagine.
We have all walked in dark places in our lives. We have all shared the experience that things appear to be going along just fine until the wolves in sheeps clothing appear out of no where. I tried to envision what Jesus must have felt like being welcomed into Jerusalem on a colt. He was met with cheering, cries of HOSANNA! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! (Mark 11:10) People threw their cloaks onto the road as well as palm branches and other branches they had cut from fields. I guess in today's terms, Jesus was given the "rock star" treatment. I'm not calling the Son of God "a rock star," moreover, I am making the point that THE PEOPLE were just going crazy with adoration of this "man" who had entered their city. I wondered how Jesus must have felt knowing His fate was just ahead. I tried to imagine the Last Supper in the Upper Room, where Jesus sat among His disciples, knowing who would betray him, telling them that, and loving them anyway. How many of us have experienced THAT kind of pure and unconditional love? The people of today are driven by their own greed, how the public perceives them and their own "appearance." There are those who will TELL you all day long what terrific Christians they are, yet their actions are not those of Jesus Christ. There are those who TELL you they are committed, honest, forthright, and present themselves quite well. Yet, there is an agenda that is hidden and many times the person is absolutely not who they present themselves to be. So, Jesus sat with the 12 people closest to Him. He ate his last supper with them. He COMMUNED with them, knowing that His time was drawing nigh.
It is very painful to follow Jesus in your mind to Gethsemane. According to the book of Mark 14, starting at verse 32, Jesus took Peter, James and Paul along and asked them to "sit here while I pray." Jesus was at the lowest point of His brief life. Mark 14, verse 34, Jesus says "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" to his three companions. He asked them to keep watch over Him as he went deeper into the garden to be alone with HIS father. How many of us have had the blessing of going to our own parents and families at the lowest points of our lives, when we knew they would welcome us and offer wise counsel? I know I have counted on the support of my friends and family of late and there is no other comfort than that of a loving parent. Secondly, is the feeling of love from a beloved friend. In Mark 14, verse 36, I can almost feel the heartache that Jesus Christ must have felt when He cried, " ABBA! FATHER! Everything is possible for you! Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what YOU will." I feel the sadness when Jesus returns to find those "watching him" are sleeping. I would have been just as upset as Jesus, when he asked Simon Peter if he couldn't have just have kept watch for ONE HOUR! He asked only that they watch and pray so they didn't fall to the temptation of sleep. Jesus reminded them that though their spirits were willing, the body is weak. And as Jesus prayed, again, his friends slept. I cannot imagine the agony when he discovers this a second time and finally says, Let's go," when he sees his betrayer approaching. Judas gave his fateful kiss. I won't recount the story here. In fact, it's a good idea to read it yourself.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior knew His destiny MUST be fulfilled. I think I would have run away in shame. I think I could not have resisted putting up a fight, yet Jesus said it wasn't HIS will, but his FATHER'S will that must be done.
There are those who will persecute each and every one of us every day of our lives. I am sorry for the energy that could be better spent on more productive tasks. However, that is not my figurative "cross to bear." I stand accountable for my actions and I CAN pray that those whose hearts are so hardened can somehow change directions and find the free gift of inner peace.
On this Easter, read from the Bible and consider your own tasks. Are those tasks and actions self-serving or GOD serving? Are they to present yourself well publicly or are you willing to be chastised, even in the face of lies and deceit, TRUSTING that GOD IS YOUR PROTECTOR and HE WILL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL EVIL?
Speaking solely for myself, I have experienced the feeling of separation from all that I thought was true. I have experienced people who present themselves one way, when in fact, the presentation couldn't be further from the truth. And I will admit that, I have been brought so much closer to MY FATHER who loves me and gave HIS only Son for my eternal life. With that, I can accept "hard times," unscrupulous people, and I can even PRAY for them, knowing God will protect me and the COOLEST part is that GOD WILL FORGIVE even those who are willing to harm others. It doesn't make me any less human. Hurt is hurt. Anger is anger, but when I step away from the situation and pour myself into MY FAITH, I KNOW I am protected from anything humans can do to me.
I didn't realize it at the time, but earlier this evening, my mother and I were discussing Easter services, sunrise services, etc. After writing this blog, I realized I said something half joking, that I AM going to do for myself in the morning. I will greet the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ "in my own garden." I had told my mom that I had the choir, the preacher and the congregation all rolled into one, so I'd take my Bible to my pond and have my own SONRISE service.
Having written this blog, I will do just that. JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU. HE GAVE HIS OWN YOUNG LIFE AT 33 YEARS FOR ALL OF MANKIND. Be glad and rejoice in the GIFT of everlasting life!
Pray for those who intentionally hurt you. Whew! That's a tough one. It's even hard to type. But, my SONRISE service will be spent in prayer for those who do wish to do me harm. I will ask God to soften their hearts, touch their minds and reach them in a way that no mortal ever could. I will pray for honesty in those who deceive. I will pray for compassion for those dear to me who are suffering through no fault of their own. I will ask God to give me COMPASSION and hold me tightly in His arms as I walk my own figurative path into Jerusalem.
I will be fine. Jesus Christ assured me of that and His Father before Him. Jesus eagerly ate the Passover meal, knowing his betrayer was in His midst. He offered HIMSELF as the sacrifice.
LUKE 22:19-21 tells us that Jesus says, "And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them (the disciples), saying THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. In the same way, after the supper, He took the cup saying, "THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, WHICH IS POURED OUT FOR YOU.
Jesus Christ gave His LIFE for me, I am assured His love. So are you. Just ask. He's always listening.
Happy Easter. Frieda, I miss you my friend. I wish all those who love me and even all of those who don't, the peace, joy and promise of life everlasting as we enter the celebration of the RESURRECTION.
I will leave you to consider that we are all resurrected in one way or another in the darkest times of our lives. God is waiting. He's always waiting and already knows the outcome. That sure takes a lot of pressure off of me. How about you?
Till next time, God bless and keep you.
Annie
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