Good Friday

I read about the loss of words this Holy Week, words unable to rightly describe the holy God Who came down and loved us with His death instead of burning us with His wrath. I too am made low this week, searching for anything that relates or makes more of God. Searching for words, more words, to share and open up. Instead, this weather has made me lethargic, and I have been letting everything in the house go. Letting it go and focusing instead on relationships. Letting go and simply being.

Counting His blessings, His faithful ways, praising His goodness and provision, yes. Loving on my husband and my daughter and family close by, yes. Laughing and enjoying life and trusting Him to provide jobs and take care of bills and feed and clothe us, yes! Celebrating the resurrection, the hope, the joy that this Sunday reminds us of, yes!

The weather reminds me that this week Christ was made low, that Christ prepared Himself and His disciples for the crucifixion. He also prepared Himself for the joy that was to follow, though. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we should be, "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. He endured the shame for the promise. Likewise, we endure this life, the daily grind and the uncertainty and the sickness and the death and the pain, because we set our eyes on the greater joy that is to follow. This week, too, with all of its planning and preparing and gloom, can be endured because of the joy that comes with the Resurrection. And oh how that joy penetrates and permeates this life! Good Friday brings us low, but Resurrection morning reminds us of the reality of our faith, brings sight to what we believe! It is hope, ever renewing, ever igniting, in the life to come, in the promises that God made, in the sweet surrender of our lives to His will!

He is risen!! He is alive!! And our hopes are justly founded in Him!! Praise the Lord!