God Chose Tragedy

Two Thousand plus years ago, God chose to save the world through Tragedy.

The tragedy – Jesus’ Crucifixion. His Son dying, brutally beaten and savagely nailed to a cross.

There was no last minute substitute given, no ram in a bush that God revealed at the eleventh hour.

Because He was the Ram – better yet, the Precious Lamb of God.

Pure. Spotless. Perfect. Sufficient.

We were supposed to be on that cross. We were the ones that were given a substitute at the eleventh hour.

We have been saved from tragedy. Through the tragic death of Jesus, the payment for our sin.

BUT that’s not the end of the story!

Jesus rose from the grave on the 3rd day, shaming the attempts of this world to hold back the Almighty plans of Heaven that were put into action the day that Eve took that first bite.

God planned this from the beginning, because He knew the end.

He knew we’d need a Savior. He knew that He’s have to give up the One that He most dearly loved in order to save those that He dearly loves.

He chose tragedy to save us.

God choosing to save the world through tragedy brings purpose & HOPE to how He can use our own personal tragedies today.

There is always more to the story than we can see. More going on even as Eve and Adam were being escorted out of the garden. Even as Jesus was being escorted down the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Suffering).

There is more to the story of what you’re facing today.

There is Hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.“-Jeremiah 29:11

Have I loved like this lately?

My husband & I have started discussing Andrew Murray’s Daily Devotional at night, and it’s been a good time of connecting on a spiritual level & discussing how we receive these little snippets of truth. We have different learning styles and so often God speaks to us in different ways that this is a simple way we can connect over some of God’s truths together.

The other night, we read one on laying down our will for God’s will. And it made me realize that I haven’t heard that message in a while. Yes, it’s a common theme sewn into many devotionals and blog posts, but honestly, sometimes I think I miss it. I tend to like the nice, soft, encouraging statements that maybe confirm that I’m on the right path, or at least don’t seem to be really stifling what I am currently doing or wanting to do.

Isn’t that just like the flesh, to even go after the truth of God’s Word in a way that doesn’t hurt, or harm, or even come close to the conclusion that that very same flesh needs to be crucified?

Crucified. Put to death. In a painful way.

The devotional went on to focus on the importance of approaching situations in humility, even recognizing relational conflicts as opportunities for God’s grace to become apparent. Choosing to not default into defending my own ground or feel I need to stand firmly on my own plot of perspective. Real Humility allows us to listen and truly hear what the other person is saying (not just to come up with our rebuttal, but really to take into consideration what they’re saying and where they’re coming from). Humility reminds us that we’re no better than anyone else because we’re aware of our need for Him. For grace. For the forgiveness & patience & love that He’s calling us to offer to that person in front of us.

Have I loved like that lately?

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” -1 John 3:16-18

Have I loved in a way that required something of me?

Because maybe it’s not really love unless it does require something of us? Something that isn’t naturally inspired and easy to give.

I don’t know – I’m not a philosopher or theologian and don’t pretend to be one. But I just know that from the passage above – I take that kind of love to be hard. To be something that is born out of prayer and a close walk with Jesus. A fruit that can only be produced if we are connected to the One True Vine.

Actions & in Truth. No hollow words. No poignant phrases. No going-through-the-motion moves.

Lord, please open my eyes to a greater revelation of what Your love looks like. I am so comfortable in my flesh, in myself, & Your love is not comfortable – it’s not pretty and all wrapped up in a nice little box. It’s messy and hard. It’s a blood-stained cross and scars.

Only in You can I even have a desire for that. Infuse my heart with courage to desire the life that You want to live through me. And help me to surrender my will to that. To choose sacrifice, knowing that in that sacrifice, I’m the one that truly gains.

Thank You, Jesus, for the price you paid years ago that we celebrate this coming Easter weekend. Thank You for the road you walked so that we could walk with You, in eternity, forever, on those streets paved in gold!

Amen.

Weakness

I’ve been reminded lately of the unique opportunity we have in those moments when we’re experiencing

weakness

to turn our gaze on Jesus.

To turn the focus of our heart and mind to Him, to be reminded that it’s in those moments that we can be the

strongest

we’ve ever been, because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

It’s the truth. We can bet our life on it & build our life out of it.

When my knees are knocking, what better time to bow them and allow Jesus to fortify my foundation.

Take that, Satan! Just when you think you’ve got me…when I’m anxious and trembling and looking to the left or the right, I can be reminded that it’s in those moments that I can experience the truth of God’s Word in my life, practically and applicably.

So – how do you turn your gaze, when you’re tempted to be looking around – at others’ reactions of you, at yourself & your own failures?

Prayer. Even a one-word prayer.

“Jesus.”

It sets our minds on the One that can set us back on our feet. Reminds our hearts that we have a Father in Heaven the loves us, and a Savior that daily pleads our case. Replaces the whispers of doubt with bold assurance that we’re not abandoned, left helpless to do things on our own.

Weakness can be redefined in God’s Kingdom. And so can we!

Kari Jobe “You Are For Me” from Nathan Corrona on Vimeo.