Who's Holding Who?

For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so.  Isaiah 54:10 MSG

 “Mom, can you watch the kids Thursday night?” My daughter asked. Of course! Spending time with our grandkids is one of our favorite things. As the evening wore down and bedtime approached, I started getting the youngest, who I refer to as “the Little Prince”, adjusted to the fact that play time was ending.

 After a few minutes, we headed for the stairs. He said “Yiayia will you carry me?” Sure. I hoisted him up and with a grunt, headed up the stairs. He’s not as light as he used to be. My husband said “Are you ok?” I said “Yes, I’m fine but thank you.” The Little Prince wrapped his arms around my neck and said “It’s OK Yiayia. I’m holding on to you.”

 And my heart melted.

 Later, as I thought about this it made me think of God. He is always holding us, carrying us, helping us on the journey. It is God who is doing the heavy lifting, not me. Yet sometimes, in my head, I put too much credit on what I am doing and I forget who is really holding me and carrying me. My trust shifts to my abilities and not my Father’s love and willingness to hold me.

 What if, like my grandson, I lean into this journey with God? What if I relax and wrap my arms around him and say “I’m here God, holding on”? What if I trust those arms that carry me and remember that I don’t have to strive so hard but trust that the love that carries me is real. 

 When the Little Prince said it was OK because he was holding on, I giggled and snuggled him and my heart melted. I believe God does the same thing. He sees us where we are, sometimes confused and misdirected, and He loves us. I believe He laughs with us like we do our kids and grandkids. I believe He leans in and showers us with a gentle love that is deeper and more forever than we can comprehend.  

How would it change us to seek that love? The love that is never, ever going to let you down. How would it change your heart to lean in and believe it was meant for you?

How Much?

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)

The other day I got to spend time with my grandsons. This is my favorite thing to do! Some of the family had gathered for breakfast. As we were leaving, I was carrying my oldest grandson and I said “Do you know how much I love you?”

He got this big, huge smile on his face and threw his arms out wide! I hugged him tight and said “That’s right! I love you so very much!”

It made me think of God. He is saying to us all the time “Do you know how much I love you?”

Our response should be to get a big, huge smile on our faces and throw our arms open as wide as we can and say with assurance “Why yes! Yes, I do!”

A Minute In It - Recognizing God

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Take a moment to read the passage below and answer the questions at the bottom of the post.

24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” 31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. 33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!” 37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” Mark 15:24-39 (NLT)

Over Jesus life and during the crucifixion, how many people witnessed what he did?
In the text above, who was it that recognized him as the Son of God?
Over the years, Jesus helped many people. Why didn’t they see that he was the Son of God?
What was it that made the Roman officer see God at this moment?

Who Would Imagine That?

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Whenever I am up against a problem, I think about this verse. In my humanness I want God to use his power to do more than I can ask or imagine. That’s the part we focus on, right?

But, didn’t he already do that?

Who would have ever thought that someone, someone I never met or knew, would give up unimaginable beauty to walk hot, dusty roads? Who would have thought of leaving the comfort of home where everyone around adored you to live in a place where jealousy and pride abound? Who would have thought that a creator/artist would limit himself so he could lift up other people? Who would have thought that there was a love so deep, so profoundly unthinkable, that he would leave safety to be in harm’s way every day? Who would have thought that someone would love me so much that he would give his life for me knowing I may not choose to love him back?

God has already accomplished more than we can ask or imagine. And because he did, there is a power at work in my life and my heart…..all for his glory.

Jesus, I bow before you and praise you. And while thank you doesn’t seem like enough, I know you hear my heart. Amen