beWARM

If there is a time to dig deep spiritually, this is it.  Now is the Week of Weeks, the Holy of Holies.

The enormity of God’s sacrifice – and the intense, tortuous suffering Jesus endured on our behalf is beyond comprehension. I wince at the thought.

And yet, the reality of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection astounds.

Though He walked in obedience, I sometimes wonder what Jesus was thinking. Surely there might have been a moment when He wished otherwise, perhaps for a less sensational exit.

I am haunted by the images of thorns, nails, that heavy cross.  I doubt I could endure such weight, such horrible hurts.

How I react to the bumps and bruises of life could use adjusting – some tutoring from The Bravest One who submitted.

Could Jesus have known the agonies ahead?

In my small existence, the unwanteds enter, sometimes discreetly, other times catching me off guard,  knocking me for a loop.

Words, undesired, undeserved.  Decisions made, out of my control, affecting life-directions. News from afar, not good, slicing the heart like a machete. Fear that paralyzes, doubts that disintegrate trust. Body parts whining for attention, victims of age and overuse.

None of us is exempt from such entities.

Oh, that I can better receive the unexpecteds, the real and inconvenient truths that interfere with joyful ways. Life’s messy moments, barging in.  And just when things are going so smoothly.

Jesus, with stamina miraculous, experienced the worst injustices imaginable, all so that our sins could be forgiven. I stand in awe of this gift of God’s grace.

The words of Jesus as death closed in are the most remarkable: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ~Luke 23:34

I think of the moments when I fail to embrace life’s undesirables with thanksgiving, with faithful acceptance.

Father, forgive me, for when I do not know what I am doing.

Father, forgive me, for I when do not trust what You are doing.

Father, forgive me for wondering if it’s really You who is engineering the doing.

Thankfully, God forgives. I welcome His generous mercy.

…and pray for the ability to gratefully receive all He sends.