At our church’s Good Friday Service I took a moment to look out over the crowd.  All different kinds of people sitting in the pews, observing such a solemn and heavy occasion.  Why are people drawn to worship in such a way on a cool and rainy evening?  Are they barely surviving pain or fear?  What is it they need?

I searched faces… and I wondered.  I may never know the individual stories of many of these people.   When we read the crucifixion account aloud and I was reminded of why I was worshiping on Good Friday.

My status:  betrayer.
My need: relief.  renewal.

There is one thing I do know about this congregation.  Indeed, on this Good Friday, each and every one of us needs Sunday’s Resurrection.

Scripture says so clearly: We are all betrayers.  We have all turned and gone our own way, causing the full burden of our inquity to be laid on Jesus alone.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

It doesn’t matter how sin is affecting me as an individual, or anyone else.  It really doesn’t, because the events of Good Friday – Jesus death on the cross-  covers it all.  all of it.  Sin, death, sickness.  Scripture declares that by His wounds, in His body, He received the transgressions of the world. There is no illness he can’t heal, no heart He can’t mend.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Our needs are not the same. In fact each one is unique.  But, the solution never changes.  When He stepped out of that grave He brought with Him the victory over every struggle! And, with His resurrection He promises to renew all things one day.    And that is the covenant He has made with those who believe in Him.

My Jesus will make ALL things new.  He will make me new. Hallelujah! This is the Resurrection we all need.  amen.

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One of my favorite Easter Celebration songs comes from Andrew Peterson’s album, Resurrection Letters volume 2, which reminds us of His promise to come and make all things new again.

All Things New

“Mom, I think I’m gonna throw up…  Mom… Mom!”

These were the words I heard from my Isaac yesterday afternoon, just after we got home.

And he did.

Ick.

As I wiped his mouth, I thought to myself, “Well, this changes everything!”  I knew, if this was a stomach bug, that we’d fall like dominos – and one by one we’d all get it.  All of our weekend plans would be ruined.  And that was a bummer.

But then I remembered…

Not long ago, upon receiving very distressing news I had a similar thought.  It was the kind of information that altered every thought I managed to have, and mocked every normal sensibility I had formerly known.   I couldn’t form any thoughts without raw emotion and fear taking over.

Standing in the kitchen, as I cried out to my Heavenly Father in desperation, I had that same thought  : “This changes everything!”

And do you know what He said to me?

“No, my sweet daughter.  Nothing has changed, nothing that truly matters.”

In that brief moment, my perspective was adjusted.  Circumstances may have been altered – but, His plan for me, the path He created for my life is exactly the same as it was when time began.   I have new information now, and it makes my path feel different.    However, He is unchanging.   The important facts remain:  He is still in control, He is still the Risen Lord, He is still my Loving Father, He is still the Healer,  He is still my Redeemer and He is still with me and present on my daily journey.

Whether it is big or small, unexpected life events can alter my outlook. That is true.  But, when those moments move my focal point to more of Him and less of earthly distractions, I come to realize that those events can not change this Sure Foundation I have or His will.

God’s Word, Jeremiah 29:11-13:

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Praise the Lord!  When life seems to be unstable, He is unchanging and His plan is secure!

amen.

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I lead this hymn last Sunday at church, and it is very significant to me today:

1. My hope is built on nothing less
   Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
   I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
   But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
   • Refrain:
     On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
     All other ground is sinking sand,
     All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
   I rest on His unchanging grace;
   In every high and stormy gale,
   My anchor holds within the veil.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood
   Support me in the whelming flood;
   When all around my soul gives way,
   He then is all my hope and stay.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
   Oh, may I then in Him be found;
   Dressed in His righteousness alone,
   Faultless to stand before the throne.

“Look, Mom!  No hands!”  Sometimes I hear these words from my kids, on my running days. We go to the park and they swing while I run. Well, I try to run.  And they give me a shout out when I pass by on the track.

Everyone’s thought it, or said it at some point, haven’t they?  The need for independence or the struggle to do things on my own has been a problem for me.  I’ve been able to take care of stuff without help.  always.

So, when my life got a little topsy-turvy the last couple of weeks, I’ve come to a realization:      I can’t do life alone.  I just can’t.  And as much as everyone else knows it, it was a bit of a shocker for me.

What has been so overwhelming in the midst of my personal discovery is that the God of the Universe, who owns every star, is also Jehovah Jireh, my provider. How faithful and generous He has been, giving exactly what I need.  His plan for my provision appears to be intricate and detailed, far superior to anything I could have designed….

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Our friendship is new, but so very open and honest.  She is choosing to walk this road with me.  Her email was short and to the point.  But, her words were beyond value.  “I’ll be praying you’re able to give this burden to Him.”

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Another friend, recently living a similar journey to mine, said these words, “I’ve learned this is a both hands kind of deal.  I just have to hold onto Him with both hands.”

And we agreed that you can’t hold on to anything else if you’re holding onto Him in a two-handed grasp.

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Those are just two of many friends, family members and even acquaintances, offering words of encouragement and comfort, thoughts from Scripture or praying…These people, they have become a part of His provision.   How could they possibly know what I need to hear at that moment?  They don’t, but He does…because He is my Provider.

I am learning, on a minute by minute schedule, that the only One who offered Himself as a sacrifice, is indeed the very One I need to cling to.  Because of His death and resurrection,  and the eternal life He gives, I find all that I need in Him; this means letting go of the earthly, in order to hold on to the everlasting God.

Look, no hands!  indeed.