What's so good about Good Friday?
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Read moreThe Body
I'm reading an old classic - In His Image by Paul Brand, M.D. It reads like a physiology text and I am loving it! For today's Wednesday's Word, I will share some of my impressions after ingesting what he has to say.
The physical body is made up of a bazillion cells (can you tell this is in my own words?). Each cell is distinct, yet connected. Every cell in my body contains my own unique DNA, which links each one to one another, making them all belong together. Yet they are separate from one another, individual. Some work together and function as a group, different from other cell groups, yet all orchestrated to operate in harmony with one another. Every single cell in my body responds to orders from my brain...and every single cell recognizes an inherent bond with every other cell in my body, responding to their needs. When cells, at least most of them, work as they are designed to do, I am healthy. If enough rogue cells have their distorted way, my whole body can suffer.
Indeed, this is the picture of the Body of Christ. We are all separate individuals, yet, because we are imprinted with the DNA of Jesus, we not only respond to His commands but also to the needs of others. In fact, many of His commands involve meeting the needs of others! Think of the numerous "one another" exhortations in Scripture - "wash one another's feet", "love one another", "serve one another", "teach and admonish one another", "pray for one another", "confess your sins to one another", "comfort one another", "bear one another's burdens", "forgive one another". When we all "do to one another as we would have them do unto us", the Body functions in beautiful, beneficial, healthy harmony.
And the world takes note.
"We will, in all things, grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" Ephesians 4:15,16
The physical body is made up of a bazillion cells (can you tell this is in my own words?). Each cell is distinct, yet connected. Every cell in my body contains my own unique DNA, which links each one to one another, making them all belong together. Yet they are separate from one another, individual. Some work together and function as a group, different from other cell groups, yet all orchestrated to operate in harmony with one another. Every single cell in my body responds to orders from my brain...and every single cell recognizes an inherent bond with every other cell in my body, responding to their needs. When cells, at least most of them, work as they are designed to do, I am healthy. If enough rogue cells have their distorted way, my whole body can suffer.
Indeed, this is the picture of the Body of Christ. We are all separate individuals, yet, because we are imprinted with the DNA of Jesus, we not only respond to His commands but also to the needs of others. In fact, many of His commands involve meeting the needs of others! Think of the numerous "one another" exhortations in Scripture - "wash one another's feet", "love one another", "serve one another", "teach and admonish one another", "pray for one another", "confess your sins to one another", "comfort one another", "bear one another's burdens", "forgive one another". When we all "do to one another as we would have them do unto us", the Body functions in beautiful, beneficial, healthy harmony.
And the world takes note.
"We will, in all things, grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" Ephesians 4:15,16
The path
I was whining the other day. Not out loud or anything. And, of course, not to God (ha ha!!). Just whining to myself in the car. Generally about the demands on me for this particular stage of life. Looking at the grass on the other side (wherever that is). Complaining to myself about all sorts of things. Having a pretty good pity party, actually. Too bad no one else could come!
Apparently the Lord heard me, though. Because I heard Him say something like "count your blessings". I ignored Him and continued on my way, carrying out some task that was being required of me at that moment. Sigh. Poor me.
As I was driving back home, I passed a house with a large something at the end of the driveway and a sign that said "FREE". Well, I am Queen of Frugality and I know that you can't get much better than "FREE". So I slowed down to take a look at the large something, fully expecting a pile of trash. (Remember the frame of mind I was in!)
"Trash" it was NOT! It was an adorable John Deere motorized two seat tractor! My mind is slow but my imagination is fast and I immediately conjured up pictures of Betsy and Jonathan riding around in my yard. OH yes! As I drooled over the little tractor and especially the sign that said "FREE", a man came out of the garage and confirmed that I could indeed have this treasure. He helped me load it up and I was singing as I drove towards home.
Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and this time I listened. I told Him I was sorry I'd been whining and before I could elaborate, He said something like this - " If you hadn't been fulfilling your obligations today, you'd have missed this tractor. I set it out especially for you. So that you would know that there are blessings and treasures on the path I have marked out for you. Blessings and treasures that otherwise you would not have. Trust me."
I nearly drove off the road, blinded by tears of gratitude and joy and amazement. He is so good to me! More than just a free John Deere motorized two seat tractor. Way more. He doesn't yell at me for whining, like I deserve. Instead, He lovingly blesses me to remind me that He "will make known to me the PATH OF LIFE. In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand, there are pleasures forever". Psalm 16:11
By His grace, I will embrace that truth. The path He has marked out for me may be hard sometimes. It might appear less desirable than a path that I can see across the way. But I must know that His Word is tru-er than my circumstances and that His path for me is good. Full of blessings and treasures. His path for me is the best way.
Because He's on it.
Apparently the Lord heard me, though. Because I heard Him say something like "count your blessings". I ignored Him and continued on my way, carrying out some task that was being required of me at that moment. Sigh. Poor me.
As I was driving back home, I passed a house with a large something at the end of the driveway and a sign that said "FREE". Well, I am Queen of Frugality and I know that you can't get much better than "FREE". So I slowed down to take a look at the large something, fully expecting a pile of trash. (Remember the frame of mind I was in!)
"Trash" it was NOT! It was an adorable John Deere motorized two seat tractor! My mind is slow but my imagination is fast and I immediately conjured up pictures of Betsy and Jonathan riding around in my yard. OH yes! As I drooled over the little tractor and especially the sign that said "FREE", a man came out of the garage and confirmed that I could indeed have this treasure. He helped me load it up and I was singing as I drove towards home.
Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and this time I listened. I told Him I was sorry I'd been whining and before I could elaborate, He said something like this - " If you hadn't been fulfilling your obligations today, you'd have missed this tractor. I set it out especially for you. So that you would know that there are blessings and treasures on the path I have marked out for you. Blessings and treasures that otherwise you would not have. Trust me."
I nearly drove off the road, blinded by tears of gratitude and joy and amazement. He is so good to me! More than just a free John Deere motorized two seat tractor. Way more. He doesn't yell at me for whining, like I deserve. Instead, He lovingly blesses me to remind me that He "will make known to me the PATH OF LIFE. In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand, there are pleasures forever". Psalm 16:11
By His grace, I will embrace that truth. The path He has marked out for me may be hard sometimes. It might appear less desirable than a path that I can see across the way. But I must know that His Word is tru-er than my circumstances and that His path for me is good. Full of blessings and treasures. His path for me is the best way.
Because He's on it.
Shhhh...
Sometimes the best word we can speak is to say nothing at all. Check out these bits of wisdom from Proverbs 17:
vs. 10 -
Whoever covers an offense seeks love but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Let's keep quiet sometimes...........we might look wise!