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Post by ladytera on Aug 7, 2008 10:28:22 GMT -5
There's a lot of fiction in this section, but I tend to write quite a bit of non-fiction as well. So, as I have time, I'll try to post some of that here. Ammy may decide these would be better on the discussion or debate boards, but I'll leave that to her as they come up. Anyone else, feel free to post here as well.  |
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Post by ladytera on Aug 13, 2008 7:07:27 GMT -5
Why?
Have you ever wondered why? I remember during a very difficult period in my life having a conversation with my babysitter. He was 18, and what he described as a Messianic Jew. I posed the question of why God would have made all of us. It was an interesting conversation. I still don't know the answer. But this week I need to talk to you a little bit about why. Because it is a question that always comes back to me in one form or another around Easter time, as I am reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.
Several years ago, my Grandfather, who is a retired Baptist minister and missionary, sent me a book for Christmas. This was while I was married to my second husband. He has been sending me Christian books, CDs and other materials for Christmas for years, and I almost never read them when I get them. But, I know he is following God's direction, because they are always there at hand when I need them. I did not stumble upon this book again until Easter the following year. By this time, I was deep in depression, feeling more lost and alone than I had ever felt in my life, and I did not see an end. My father and step mother were coming to visit over Easter, and my father asked me if I could find a church we could go to that Sunday. God really is pretty cool. He knew I needed a church. I'd been praying about finding one, and I had been putting it off because I was afraid. I couldn't take anymore rejection or judgment. I didn't feel worthy of love or acceptance, and I was not willing to take the chance. But I love my father dearly, and I knew it was important. I also knew that the piece that was missing in my life was God. So I prayed again, that I would find the right church within the first week or two. And I did. The first one I walked into made me cry, and filled the hole inside me a little bit. I kept going back, even after Easter passed. But this isn't a story about that journey. It is about the first answer to the question of why.
Before my Dad came, I ran across "The Gift for All People" by Max Lucado. If you haven't read it, you need to. It will break your heart, and fill you with such unspeakable joy at the same time. I cried my way through the entire book, and by the time I went to church with my Dad and step-mom, I knew, in a way I never had before that Jesus had come here, gone through unspeakable pain, suffering and sorrow, for the sole purpose of saving me individually, and us all as a whole. It was an awakening, and started me on my journey back to God.
This is several years later now. My life is much more mellow, if still brimming with too much to do. And I have once again begun to ask why. I mean, I know that Jesus came to save us from our sins. He was crucified to be a sacrifice for the rest of us. But I still had to ask, why? I mean, this is God after all, and surely there had to be a better way. No, that's not heresy. That is simply a human being not quite getting the larger picture. So, I've been pondering this question in the back of my mind. And suddenly last Friday, I realized I had read the explanation in my Bible a few weeks ago. I can't even remember now which verse it was that triggered the understanding, but it came none the less, and I needed to share it with you. I finally get why it had to be done this way.
Jesus came so that when we cry out "My demons are after me," He says "I have been there."
"For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil." Luke 4:1-2
When we cry out "I am afraid, I don't want to do this, I can't handle it." He says "I have been there."
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42
When we cry out "I have been betrayed by those I loved and trusted." He says "I have been there."
"While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:47-48
When we cry out "We are abandoned and alone in the darkness." He says "I have been there."
"From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Matthew 27:45-46
He did all of this for us. When we are broken, lost and sunken in despair, when there is nothing left, and we find ourselves curled on the floor in the darkness. When the fear crashes in on us like an avalanche, seconds from crushing us to dust. When the helplessness and despair blows cold, snatching our last breath. When the loneliness, helplessness, emptiness vices around our hearts, and we are sure the next beat will be its last. When the darkness covers us, He came so He could say, because I have been there, I know the way home. Because I have been there, in the darkness, and I had faith, I am the light. He came so that He could say to us with confidence, compassion, and infinite love, I have been here, and I have come back to you to lead you home, if you will only follow me.
Isn't that a totally amazing gift? I still don't know why God made the world, knowing what we would do, the pain we would cause Him, and the sacrifice He would have to make. But I finally understand why He made the sacrifice, and I am humbled by the overwhelming love. For those of you out there reading this who have come through your own darkness, remember that He has charged you to be His hands and feet, His shining light in the world so that others can find their way home.
For any of you who are still lost in your darkness, this message is for you as well. It doesn't matter how far away you think you are. Whatever your demons, be they fear, addiction, anger, loss, sorrow, or anything else, He is waiting for you to reach for His hand. He came for you, so He would know the way home. If you have stumbled here in your wanderings today, He's calling you, and I pray this helps you hear Him.
Until next time, may God bless each and every one of you. May His grace and love give your life purpose, and may you hear Him in each breath and beat of your heart.
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Larael
Student
"Does the Walker choose the Path, or does the Path choose the Walker?"
Posts: 24
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Post by Larael on Sept 26, 2008 20:59:24 GMT -5
Thank you for posting this. It really touched something inside of me, and at the moment I don't really know what exactly that is. I had a very rough school year last year full of betrayals, depression, and other personal trials and I remember asking God some of the very same questions you posted above. It's amazing to think that Jesus went through those exact same things for me. I don't think I go through everything I did last year again for anyone. It must of took an infinite amount of love and strength for Him to do it. |
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Post by ladytera on Sept 29, 2008 10:51:41 GMT -5
Thank you for posting this. It really touched something inside of me, and at the moment I don't really know what exactly that is. I had a very rough school year last year full of betrayals, depression, and other personal trials and I remember asking God some of the very same questions you posted above. It's amazing to think that Jesus went through those exact same things for me. I don't think I go through everything I did last year again for anyone. It must of took an infinite amount of love and strength for Him to do it. You are most welcome. I actually wrote that while back when I was still attempting to maintain a blog. Life got a little overwhelming, and I stopped making time for it. If you ever feel like reading more though, it's practicalreligion.blogspot.com. It's called What Has He Done For Me Lately. I haven't written anything there in more than a year. Perhaps, sooner or later, I'll get my butt in gear and get back to it. It touches, for me at least, the small child inside that is never comforted by anyone except God's grace. The part of me that wants to crawl up in my Daddy's lap just to rest a while. I hope the new school year bring better times, and brightness and joy for you. If the trials come again, feel free to share either here, or you're welcome to PM me, if you just need an objective ear. |
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Gil
Apprentice
teh spazzy queen
Posts: 54
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Post by Gil on Sept 29, 2008 21:22:05 GMT -5
That was beautiful - very well written, gave me the chills, and I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I forget that, what God went through, and it's always good to be reminded. And I just put "The Gift for All People" on reserve at the library  haha you got me interested! |
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Larael
Student
"Does the Walker choose the Path, or does the Path choose the Walker?"
Posts: 24
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Post by Larael on Sept 30, 2008 22:31:13 GMT -5
Thanks so much, ladytera. That really means a lot to me. I've been reading bits and pieces from the rest of your blog and you've got me interested. You have such wonderful insight! |
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Post by ladytera on Oct 1, 2008 2:39:34 GMT -5
Thanks so much, ladytera. That really means a lot to me. I've been reading bits and pieces from the rest of your blog and you've got me interested. You have such wonderful insight! You are most welcome! I appreciate the kudos. I'm kind of a feedback junky, and that may be why both the blogs I originally started didn't go too far. But, I really enjoyed writing them while I was doing it. I hope they help you and anyone else who reads them. |
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