A week ago was Good Friday. A week ago was the anniversary of a death that set me free.
This year, as I've been thinking about Easter, taking in the different services, and fielding questions from Buddy, new things struck me. By far, the most powerful idea that stood out to me was how all of nature reacted to Jesus' death.
Think about it. The sky grew dark. The earth shook. Creation seemed to understand the magnitude and agony wrapped up in the crucifixion. It is a terrible and wondrous thing to dwell on.
The week before Jesus gave up his spirit, He alluded to nature and how if we do not praise Him, the rocks will cry out. While I'm not going to say that the earthquake was praise, I will say it was a moan, a cry, desperation made manifest to alleviate the grief brought on by the death of the Creator.
On Sunday, a friend of ours did a brilliant job singing the old hymn "O Sacred Head Now Wounded", accompanied by a stand-up bass. This hymn has become a favourite of mine in recent history, with the mournful tones and matching lyrics, but the verse that stood out this time, echos the sentiment of natures grief:
"What language can I borrow to thank Thee, Dearest Friend,
for this, thy dying sorrow - a pity without end."
How can we even begin to comprehend, let alone express the exquisite anguish of the cross? I find that I don't often focus on the scorn of the cross, but on my benefit from it. How selfish and shameful is that? -it's like another nail in the coffin, so to speak. I am grateful for the work done there, but forget how it was done. This year, my soul was moved to silence, to wordless streaming tears of pain.
To focus too long on this grief and wallow in it is not great. We know, unlike his disciples at the time, that Jesus did not stay dead. The gloriousness of the resurrection is juxtaposed so perfectly. My soul, on Sunday could not keep quiet, but again, had no language for praise grand enough. Nature again takes up where we cannot - Psalm 19: 1-4. :
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands
Day after day the pour forth speech;
night after night the reveal their knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words, no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
How do we praise a God like ours? How can we but help it?
XO,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, April 25, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Feeling Worth
Lately, I've been struggling with the place God has put me. I have always dreamed of moving overseas with my family and learning a new language, cuisine, customs, and so on. I had never fathomed living for a prolonged time in a suburb of a capital city, mostly house-bound, and being a house wife. It often feels like I'm just putting in time, or on the worst days, that my role is of little or no worth.
I have posted before about how I'm not very good at keeping house or even at times feel that I am good at mothering my kids. That's not really what I want to chat about today.
Today, I want to draw attention to something I've been learning. This precious pearl has come to me through a variety of means, but most obviously, through a Bible study I just started this week. The lesson deals with understanding God's call on your life and serving Him with faithful obedience for the sake of His glory. It's not a simple lesson, nor is it a "one-time, thanks I've got it now," kind of thing. It's more like one of those polishing another layer of grime off of a jewel kind of lessons.
Anyway. I've always known God has a plan and a purpose for me and my life. I've always thought that ministering overseas was it. While it still might be, it also might not be. I really don't know at this point. What I do know, is about now.
Now, God has called me to be a house-bound, suburban dwelling house wife with three kids and a wonderful husband.
Now, God has called me to be aware of triggers and stressors for my son.
Now, God has called me to be and encourager of my stretched-thin husband.
Now, God has called me to be an example of a godly woman to my daughters.
Now God has called me to endless loads of laundry, piles of dishes, and daily diaper changes.
Now, God has called me to practice trust.
Now, God has called me to learn resilience.
Now, God has called me to understand brokenness and healing.
Now, God has called me to a number of things, each of them with purpose, meaning, chance to bring glory to Him. None of those things are insignificant when we look at them with the proper perspective and proper end goal - His glory! That is weighty! That is immense! That is impossible - but I know, through Him, and only that way, I can do it!
The worthiness of my life has little to do with my role or task - It has everything to do with Him who called me to do it. He gives meaning and worth to even the most 'mundane' task.
How is He calling you?
XO,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
I have posted before about how I'm not very good at keeping house or even at times feel that I am good at mothering my kids. That's not really what I want to chat about today.
Today, I want to draw attention to something I've been learning. This precious pearl has come to me through a variety of means, but most obviously, through a Bible study I just started this week. The lesson deals with understanding God's call on your life and serving Him with faithful obedience for the sake of His glory. It's not a simple lesson, nor is it a "one-time, thanks I've got it now," kind of thing. It's more like one of those polishing another layer of grime off of a jewel kind of lessons.
Anyway. I've always known God has a plan and a purpose for me and my life. I've always thought that ministering overseas was it. While it still might be, it also might not be. I really don't know at this point. What I do know, is about now.
Now, God has called me to be a house-bound, suburban dwelling house wife with three kids and a wonderful husband.
Now, God has called me to be aware of triggers and stressors for my son.
Now, God has called me to be and encourager of my stretched-thin husband.
Now, God has called me to be an example of a godly woman to my daughters.
Now God has called me to endless loads of laundry, piles of dishes, and daily diaper changes.
Now, God has called me to practice trust.
Now, God has called me to learn resilience.
Now, God has called me to understand brokenness and healing.
Now, God has called me to a number of things, each of them with purpose, meaning, chance to bring glory to Him. None of those things are insignificant when we look at them with the proper perspective and proper end goal - His glory! That is weighty! That is immense! That is impossible - but I know, through Him, and only that way, I can do it!
The worthiness of my life has little to do with my role or task - It has everything to do with Him who called me to do it. He gives meaning and worth to even the most 'mundane' task.
How is He calling you?
XO,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Resolutions Revisited
So, back in January, I told you about my resolution to get through the Bible three times this year. It was the only one I really had for the year of 2014, with the hope of learning to better follow the command of not worrying about today which is pushed forward by the other command of seeking first God's kingdom.
Well! It's been an awesome few months. I am 3/4 of the way through my Bible for the first read-through. I used a different translation than I ever have before, as well as it's chronological version. It has been excellent and has given me fresh eyes for familiar texts.
Something that stood out to me this time was the people of God are really that: people. While they might seem like spiritual giants (and let's face it, are), but they are staggeringly human and sinful as well.
Adam, a man who walked and talked with God disobeyed a 'simple' command and then blamed shifted.
Noah obeyed and built a boat, but then also planted a vineyard and got stinkingly drunk.
Abraham, though faithful, had trust issues, especially regarding his wife.
Lot, Jacob, Rachel, Moses, Aaron, Miriam -It goes on and on, and I haven't even left the Pentateuch!
I am finding it all comes back to people like Gideon, Saul, David, or the lepers who found the empty camp. They are unlikely, by our standards (even their own, really!!), to accomplish anything great. In actuality these people did not do anything great. They did not have that ability. They are just like us. The difference is that God picked them out. God worked through them. God gave them the ability to obey, or lead, or father a nation, or defeat a blaspheming giant, or the multitude of other things that you see throughout the Bible.
I believe that God uses the unlikely or impossible so He can show off and have us see how incredibly awe inspiring He is. We, lumps of lifeless clay, can do nada, nothing, zilch, zippo, etc apart from Him. I think when we, in pride, get in His way and think 'hey look at how I can mold myself into anything I want', we lose sight of the grander, perfect plan that our Potter has for us- garnering praise for Himself. (- it kinda follows the James passage, doesn't it? Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will raise you up - and what greater heights are there than praising an Almighty God?)
I also think that when we try to attempt something for God that it kind of falls flat on its face. I'll reiterate, without Him nothing is possible. The biblical example that kind of comes to mind is Rebekah getting Jacob to dress and smell like his older brother in order to gain the blessing. While he did get the blessing, Rebekah paid a high price of having her son have to run away. She never saw her son again. If both she and Isaac had obeyed there would not have been as huge of a rift in that family, I believe. Humble obedience, keeps the family together. - ha for your own and for the universal Body, eh?
Anyway, I'm excited to get into the New Testament and see how this theme continues!
I've also been mulling on different resolutions to make regarding other areas of my life. I'm still unsure of what exactly to resolve, but I think, it would go something along the lines of challenging myself in the crafts I love - so finishing the first adult sweater pattern I've been knitting. Following through on learning the basics of water colour and practising. ...things like that. Maybe when I actually come up with something solid I'll let you know.
How are your resolutions coming?
xo,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
Well! It's been an awesome few months. I am 3/4 of the way through my Bible for the first read-through. I used a different translation than I ever have before, as well as it's chronological version. It has been excellent and has given me fresh eyes for familiar texts.
Something that stood out to me this time was the people of God are really that: people. While they might seem like spiritual giants (and let's face it, are), but they are staggeringly human and sinful as well.
Adam, a man who walked and talked with God disobeyed a 'simple' command and then blamed shifted.
Noah obeyed and built a boat, but then also planted a vineyard and got stinkingly drunk.
Abraham, though faithful, had trust issues, especially regarding his wife.
Lot, Jacob, Rachel, Moses, Aaron, Miriam -It goes on and on, and I haven't even left the Pentateuch!
I am finding it all comes back to people like Gideon, Saul, David, or the lepers who found the empty camp. They are unlikely, by our standards (even their own, really!!), to accomplish anything great. In actuality these people did not do anything great. They did not have that ability. They are just like us. The difference is that God picked them out. God worked through them. God gave them the ability to obey, or lead, or father a nation, or defeat a blaspheming giant, or the multitude of other things that you see throughout the Bible.
I believe that God uses the unlikely or impossible so He can show off and have us see how incredibly awe inspiring He is. We, lumps of lifeless clay, can do nada, nothing, zilch, zippo, etc apart from Him. I think when we, in pride, get in His way and think 'hey look at how I can mold myself into anything I want', we lose sight of the grander, perfect plan that our Potter has for us- garnering praise for Himself. (- it kinda follows the James passage, doesn't it? Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will raise you up - and what greater heights are there than praising an Almighty God?)
I also think that when we try to attempt something for God that it kind of falls flat on its face. I'll reiterate, without Him nothing is possible. The biblical example that kind of comes to mind is Rebekah getting Jacob to dress and smell like his older brother in order to gain the blessing. While he did get the blessing, Rebekah paid a high price of having her son have to run away. She never saw her son again. If both she and Isaac had obeyed there would not have been as huge of a rift in that family, I believe. Humble obedience, keeps the family together. - ha for your own and for the universal Body, eh?
Anyway, I'm excited to get into the New Testament and see how this theme continues!
I've also been mulling on different resolutions to make regarding other areas of my life. I'm still unsure of what exactly to resolve, but I think, it would go something along the lines of challenging myself in the crafts I love - so finishing the first adult sweater pattern I've been knitting. Following through on learning the basics of water colour and practising. ...things like that. Maybe when I actually come up with something solid I'll let you know.
How are your resolutions coming?
xo,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)