I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't going to share this today. I share it every year. I posted yesterday and have another (a special guest post!) for tomorrow. I don't want to overflow your inbox. I just wasn't going to share it again.
But this morning, I woke up and knew I had to. I don't know why or who it is that needs to read this. But I am not a morning person, and here I am - up way early with only one thought. Post it! So my friends, here it is (with a little editorial comment at the end). If it speaks to you, please let me know.
Do you ever feel - in the middle? Having experienced tragedy or loss, but waiting for the future hope and peace that is promised? We must wait, but not as those with no hope. It was while Jesus was waiting that He set the captives free.
When I was in Israel, one of the most powerful moments for me was at the Garden Tomb. I entered the empty tomb, and after my eyes adjusted to the darkness, saw the white garments folded on the stone bench. Turning to exit the tomb and enter the light, I saw a rough, wooden sign that read:
Seeing those words in that place was a powerful reminder that He has risen. The full verse includes the words JUST AS HE SAID! So what else did He say?
May you have a most blessed Resurrection Day! May you rejoice with Him who rose from the dead to give you eternal life, who endured the darkness to bring us with Him into the light. And may you be preparing for the ultimate feast, worship and garments yet to come!!
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So my friends, that's the post. My heart is grieving for a family that suffered a tragic loss. They are in the dark Saturday tomb and have lost hope for the future. They aren't preparing for a glorious tomorrow. They are clinging to the pain of today. Perhaps you are in that place too or know someone stuck in their dark night of the soul, a place we are meant to transverse, not dwell.
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| photo credit: www.wayofthesea.wordpress.com |
Today we are in the middle.
Yesterday was Good Friday -
the pain of suffering,
despair, heartache,
the event that left us full of tears
Tomorrow is Easter -
the joy of new life,
resurrection,
rising from the ashes of pain
Today we are just in the middle-
the preparing for tomorrow's feast,
tomorrow's worship,
tomorrow's new garments
Do you ever feel - in the middle? Having experienced tragedy or loss, but waiting for the future hope and peace that is promised? We must wait, but not as those with no hope. It was while Jesus was waiting that He set the captives free.
When I was in Israel, one of the most powerful moments for me was at the Garden Tomb. I entered the empty tomb, and after my eyes adjusted to the darkness, saw the white garments folded on the stone bench. Turning to exit the tomb and enter the light, I saw a rough, wooden sign that read:
"He is not here;
he has risen,
just as he said."
Matt. 28:6
Seeing those words in that place was a powerful reminder that He has risen. The full verse includes the words JUST AS HE SAID! So what else did He say?
We have been healed:“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”-1 Peter 2:24
We have a future:"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
So we must:"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Titus 1:2"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3
Today, while still in the middle, this is my prayer for you:"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13
May you have a most blessed Resurrection Day! May you rejoice with Him who rose from the dead to give you eternal life, who endured the darkness to bring us with Him into the light. And may you be preparing for the ultimate feast, worship and garments yet to come!!
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So my friends, that's the post. My heart is grieving for a family that suffered a tragic loss. They are in the dark Saturday tomb and have lost hope for the future. They aren't preparing for a glorious tomorrow. They are clinging to the pain of today. Perhaps you are in that place too or know someone stuck in their dark night of the soul, a place we are meant to transverse, not dwell.
The angels at the tomb asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee..." Lk. 24:5-6
Oh that we could stop looking among the dead, in the dark, but remember and cling to what He told us, the hope for the future.
Today let us pray together that you and they and we all may remember the truth He told us and catch of glimmer of the glorious hope to come.
Today let us pray together that you and they and we all may remember the truth He told us and catch of glimmer of the glorious hope to come.
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| The Garden Tomb - a haven of tranquility and one of my 2 favorite places in Israel |
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| photo credit: http://genebrooks.blogspot.com/ To the left behind the metal bars is a stone "bed" with white linen clothes folded neatly at the end. Through the door outside, behind the railing, is where we shared communion. |
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