Easter Ponderings

It has been on my mind lately that I haven’t felt productive in my faith. My life feels “wrong” to some degree, like I’ve missed the path He set out for me. With it being Easter season, Lent has been on my mind. I didn’t practice it in the past so I decided to learn about it. 

I didn’t end up honoring Lent in its time this year, however it had several points that intrigued me. Lent is 40 days long, which is an important number repeatedly in the Bible. In reading here forty days is pointed out as significant for Noah, Moses and Jesus. The times that forty were illustrated always pertained to a time when God took the person out of their old life, and prepared them for a new way of life through Him. It’s also important to note that Lent was a time to reflect on the things that Jesus spoke of- fasting for self discipline and to focus one’s mind on God, sacrifice and giving to others. 

I thought about what the entire forty day season leading up to  Easter was really about, and the graphic above came to mind. Like those chosen for their forty day journey into new life in Him, we need to keep our minds on what kind of life God has called us to. That forty day period should lead us towards it, continually strengthening and growing us in our faith each year, instead of only being a time of reflection or remembrance of His sacrifice.

Good Friday ponderings

It’s Good Friday. 

I was thinking on and off about Jesus sacrificing for us humans, and me in particular. I thought about how I should be appreciating my life more and live like his sacrifice was worth more than my current plodding along seems to value it. It came to me- What if there’s a second  side to the crucifixion that we don’t think about as much-

What if it is just as important for us to concentrate on the fact that Jesus was willing to take on the full measure of sin for the entire world- as it is for us to see this is also the ultimate example of loving obedience to God?

His Father says, “I need you to do this, Jesus, for mankind, and for my purpose with them to be fulfilled.” And despite his human understanding of the horrifics required, he loved his Father enough to say yes. He understood that God had put this into his life for a reason so he obeyed Him because He believed, and his love was shown in his obedience.

WHAT IF we simply need to understand this is how wholeheartedly we need to be as we come to the Lord as Believers? To believe with a whole heart, and to follow Him with that same loving devotion.