Looking for Jesus

“I know you’re here looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously, just as he said!” (Matthew 28:5-6 TPT)

Early one morning, I was out in the back yard with my dog. The sun was just rising, and the morning mist still hung in the air. The light filtered through staining the sky in brilliant hues of pink and orange. The trees swayed their arms, animated by the wind. The subtle scent of early spring flowers and new grass filled the air. The birds were awake and chirping loudly. It seemed like they were trying to outsing each other. I stood still and soaked in the moment. I’m always on the lookout for Jesus, but I don’t always notice Him. For a few minutes that morning, my heart became receptive. 

“Where is this risen Christ? Everywhere and all around us—in you, your neighbor, the dogwood tree outside, the budding grape vine, the ants popping up through the cracks. The whole world is filled with God, who is shining through even the darkest places of our lives.” (Ilia Delio)

Christ is everywhere and all around us--in each of us and all of creation. The whole world is filled with God. He is in the dark and the light, in the sick and the healthy, in joy and sadness. The risen Christ is present, but we don’t always notice. Receptivity to the Divine is a gift.  May each of us be blessed by the awareness of Christ in our surroundings. 

 

Forgiveness Is Key

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:12-13 NLT)

I am a skilled grudge keeper. I don’t forget anything, so it is hard for me to overlook bad behavior. I keep a tally of wrongs committed against me and charge interest. Needless to say, forgiveness does not come naturally to me. When I do feel merciful to anyone who has hurt me or my loved ones, I know the source is supernatural. It is as miraculous as if I, a short person who can barely jump a few inches off the ground, were to suddenly develop the ability to slam dunk a basketball. 

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness." (Corrie Ten Boom)

While suffering is universal, individual responses vary. There are those who become sensitive to the vulnerability in others and develop more compassion and empathy. However, some people turn bitter and resentful in the face of adversity. They blame others for their troubles and feel the need to spread pain. Their experiences seem to trigger a covetousness for more of everything. Forgiveness is the key difference between these two paths. It is the antidote to the poison of resentment. It unlocks the shackles of hatred, bitterness, and selfishness. Like all other graces, it is a supernatural gift. 

Father, forgive us and help us to forgive others.

Million Little Miracles

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

A year ago, a friend had a liver transplant after years of battling cancer. He is doing well now. In a recent message, he mentioned the song “Million Little Miracles” by Maverick City, and how it resonated with him. Below is an excerpt of the lyrics and a link to the song: 

“All my life, I've been carried by grace

Don't ask me how 'cause I can't explain

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I've got some blessings that I don't deserve

I've got some scars, but that's how you learn

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I think it over and it doesn't add up

I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles

A million little miracles

Miracles on miracles

Count your miracles

One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

You held me steady so I wouldn't give up

You opened doors that nobody could shut

I hope I never get over what You've done

I wanna live with an open heart

I wanna live like I know who You are

I hope I never get over what You've done

It's not coincidence and it's not luck

I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles

A million little miracles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viiw6tGimHo

As I listened to the song from my friend’s perspective, I realized all the million little miracles that I take for granted: 

Every working cell and organ in my body, every hair on my head, eyebrows, eyelashes. 

The ability to eat, digest, and eliminate waste naturally. 

The health to walk, run, sleep, drive, talk, write, read, clean, cook, work, and take care of my loved ones. 

The capacity to go outside and see the birds, grass, trees, clouds, sky, ponds, and creeks. 

The blessings of food, a working car, a home, privacy, and safety. 

Too many miracles to count...

Even in the darkest days, God does not abandon me. 

I am held and carried by grace. 

Not because of my merit, but because of God’s goodness. 

Not because of luck or coincidence, but by Divine intervention. 

Not because of the intensity of my faith or the consistency of my prayers, but because of the sacrificial love of Christ. 

What is impossible on my own, becomes possible with God. 

I’ve got miracles on miracles, a million little miracles. 

__

Through Grace

"Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?" (Romans 2:4 AMP)

I’ve always wondered:

Why do some people have faith, but not others?

Why do some people suffer greatly, while others seem to do okay in life?

Why are not all the sick healed through prayer?

Why do some people repent and turn their lives around, while others self-destruct?  

I do not have answers to any of the above. Yet, I am aware of the following: 

God’s love is available to everyone.

God’s kindness leads us to repentance and transformation.

The gift of faith enables us to have a responsorial relationship with God.

Everything we are seeking in life–joy, fulfillment, purpose, meaning–is found through Grace. 

Without God, nothing is possible. With God, nothing is impossible. 

The Discomfort of Growth

“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.’” ( Matthew 16:24 MSG)

When I read verses like the one above, I cringe. If I’m being completely honest--I want to be in the driver’s seat. I routinely try to run from suffering. I prefer self-help over self-sacrifice. I always pick comfort over pain. I would rather not face uncertainty. If suffering is the only pathway to growth, I would rather remain stagnant. 

And so does most everyone else. 

We are all like pigs wallowing in dirt. We are content to stay in the muck and call it a mud bath. Some of us may move to a slightly cleaner puddle once in a while. How can we reveal our true selves when we are covered in mud? How can we see where we are going? How can we not slip and fall?

Follow Jesus and He will show us how. 

He will escort the blind down unfamiliar paths. He will guide us through new territory, smoothing out rough patches. He will illuminate dark passageways. He will not abandon us. 

“I will escort the blind down roads they do not know, guide them down paths they’ve never seen. I will smooth their passage and light their way. I will indeed do it—they are abandoned no more.” (Isaiah 42:16 VOICE)

Surrendering

“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.” (John 14:1 TPT)

Sometimes in battle, you have no option but to surrender. You feel ill-equipped, outmaneuvered, exhausted, and overwhelmed. You can’t go on fighting. But you can choose what you surrender to. 

Fear is a mean taskmaster. If you surrender to fear, it will enslave you and continually torture you. Do not give in to anger, resentment, bitterness, impulsivity, selfishness, self-pity, or despair either. 

“God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 VOICE)

Surrender to God. Trust Him. He is merciful and faithful. You may not be able to handle some things on your own, but you can handle everything with God. He will provide a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward. 

The Tough Middle

“Before every person lies a road that seems to be right, but at the end of that road death and destruction wait.” (Proverbs 16:25 VOICE)

Midlife is a time of reevaluation. By this time, we have worked hard to achieve what we thought would bring us happiness. Yet, we find ourselves asking: "Is there more to life?” Many of us project our dissatisfaction onto our circumstances. We pursue more temporary highs in the hope of finding fulfillment. We choose paths that seem right to us, but lead to more disappointment.

In the midst of a crisis, it is hard to recognize that what you are going through is not unique. Pulling yourself out of a pit is also difficult. Seek wise counsel. Even those who are intelligent sometimes allow their emotions to cloud their discernment. Examine your feelings of dissatisfaction. See where they point, and find healthy ways to address them. Thoughtfully navigating this tough middle stage can lead to growth while impulsive decisions can lead to destruction.