Wednesday, April 10, 2013
4 Days Dead
Last night, Tim and I experienced the greatest joy parents
can ever know. Our third child understood his sin in the presence of the Holy
God and accepted the salvation of Christ. There is no greater blessing God
gives than to know that my family of five will be eternally together. We have
prayed for this day since before we became parents. The death of sin truly has
been defeated. And my son woke up today in his new life in Christ. He will walk
the remainder of his days in the new mercies of God each day. Just as his name,
Evan, declares, my prayer is that my son knows fully that “The Lord is good.”
As I rejoice, my heart and mind think on these weeks that have followed Easter,
the day we celebrate our glorious hope. I am reminded that there is no
resurrection without the crucifixion. Death brings life. Lazarus was given a
glimpse of such life after death understanding. He was four days dead but the
power of Christ prevailed and new life was given to him. We are all Lazarus,
dead and in need of resurrection. Most certainly, our souls are dead and our
victorious Savior gives us life through His own death. But we are whole people.
Not only are our souls dead, but our entire being died that sad day of the fall.
Until then, no depressed emotions, fear filled minds or anxious hearts existed.
Death invaded. But God resurrects. My soul is revived when Jesus gives His new
life. Furthermore, the power of His resurrection is for this weak and wandering heart,
this fearful and faithless mind. I am truly, wholly dead. Dead in my
disappointments and depressions and doubts. He cries out my name, commands me
to rise and walk in His new life. As Christians, we miss that His resurrection is
for all of me. I, too, am four days dead. The sin of my doubts, the pains of my
heart, the thoughts of my mind need His resurrection power. Daughter of God
Most High, He has the power to bring life to that which is dead. So many days,
I drudge forward, defeated. Will I allow Him to breathe His new life in me? Do not
misunderstand me to say that we are never in need of help through medication or
counseling. My point is simply that we live as though how we are in our minds
and hearts is okay. We dismiss or accept our struggles. No. We are to live as redeemed daughters. We do not have to
walk in the deadness of who we are. Pride, bitterness, anger,
self-righteousness, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, self-sufficiency, hopelessness. Those are
death and destruction to our hearts and minds. He wants us to walk in the life
of His grace, forgiveness, peace, patience, joy. If His life is not evident in
my own, I am still a dead man walking. My soul may be saved, but death still reigns.
He gives life and if He is not Lord of me wholly, death is ruling. He died for
me to live, not just someday up there, but today right here. Where has sin and
satan brought death and destruction in your life? What emotions, desires and
thoughts need to be put to death so that in them, you can experience the victory of His
resurrection? Let Him bring life to you, wholly.
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