Quynh is in His presence every moment.
What a sweet, yet overwhelmingly powerful thought.
On the countless moments each day when I long for her, ache to hear her voice, cry out in heartache, it is this assurance that empowers to keep going.
And so... much reflection as Easter approaches. Today I just wrote...His story, our Hope, our Stronghold, our Redemption, our Healing, and the story of our real Home. Cause His Truth is all that could help my hurting heart.
...To think of Jesus existing with the Trinity in heaven painted with glory . He was there, as a King. Royalty marked his brow. . He was the highest of the highest, seated above all.
Imagine Him gazing upon His Father’s creation and turning to see the look on His face. God knew creation was lost and desperate for hope. Their sinfulness had separated them from Him, the creator of the universe.
God was fully aware of the decisions we would make. He knew our eyes would turn and that we would rebel and cast away His perfect love and mighty hand.. Yet, He was not only aware of humanity’s rejection but also of His plan for restoration.
God’s son was in perfect union with Him. He loved and adored Jesus. He was His one and only. They dwelt together before the dawn of time. Looking into the eyes of Jesus, God spoke out of love for His creation.
Asking His Son to take off His royal garments and step down off the throne, Jesus was told by His Father to leave the heavenly kingdom and abandon everything...
Taking on the form of a man, Jesus left His heavenly seat and entered this world in a very helpless position; a baby. Born just like you and I. He was suddenly relying on mankind for everything; the same mankind that had rejected His Father.
Jesus would now experience life from the lens of humanity. He would experience hunger, and temptation. He would grow tired and weary. He would experience labor and the natural aches of a fleshly body.
As every year of His 33 years on earth passed by, I wonder what Jesus was thinking as He knew the Father’s plan? Death was on the doorstep and He would soon experience the weight of God’s wrath, the rejection of His Father, and the sins of all of mankind. The actual death seems less burdensome compared to all that Jesus was going to bear spiritually and mentally.
After several years of ministry, Jesus turned Himself over to the courts and withstood what will eternally be known as the worst suffering ever. Guiltless and perfect, He withstood the calling and followed through on what God asked Him to do.
The moment that the Old Testament had been telling of and that the whole universe’s hope hinged on had finally come. Jesus died. Publicly spat upon, His pierced body dangled from a wooden cross and in a moment’s time God’s wrath was satisfied and mankind’s sinfulness was forgiven.
In a dark tomb, there his body laid. The precious savior of the world was no longer living and was placed within darkness guarded by men.
But the story couldn’t and didn't end here. On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead and once for all conquered death for all mankind. As he stepped forth in triumph, the penalty owed for our sins was paid and death no longer had a hold on God’s creation. Death no longer has victory!
Our King is alive! He took our place and is now with His Father for all of eternity. His obedience and work on the cross has now made it possible for all of us to experience eternal life and relationship with a Holy God. Wow...
We were created to find the ultimate fulfillment in God. When we actually start allowing Him as the only thing that needs meaning to fulfill us, then we witness a glimmer into God’s wonderful kingdom. After all, He is preparing us for the day that we too see Him face to face.
On the day that we finally experience all of His glory without the world, or our flesh getting in the way, we will see how incredibly worthless it has been chasing around all these other false idols, American dreams, and dimly lit features the world offers.
But waiting is often so. terribly. hard. Our timing is very limited in view and insight; for we are often seeking after something that is driven through an earthly lens. I know I do.
But right in the center of waiting is where we become increasingly aware of God’s presence. Mercy flows into our hearts and the wisdom and knowledge of God’s timing become more evident. And He promises...God’s timing is perfect. He makes no mistakes.
He promises, that...though deep and agonizing it now is, all fades into the blissful depths of the very love you and I were created for. then, on that day, “the bad dream will be over: it will be morning” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). the broken bone will be set. the bleeding will be stopped. the tears will be dried up. all will finally be made right.
As I journey forward, I hope and pray that I can become better at sitting at God’s throne and at the bottom of the cross setting my affections at the one and only place where I was truly made to be inspired, loved, encouraged, and fulfilled.
And may each task I undertake reflect that...
What a sweet, yet overwhelmingly powerful thought.
On the countless moments each day when I long for her, ache to hear her voice, cry out in heartache, it is this assurance that empowers to keep going.
And so... much reflection as Easter approaches. Today I just wrote...His story, our Hope, our Stronghold, our Redemption, our Healing, and the story of our real Home. Cause His Truth is all that could help my hurting heart.
...To think of Jesus existing with the Trinity in heaven painted with glory . He was there, as a King. Royalty marked his brow. . He was the highest of the highest, seated above all.
Imagine Him gazing upon His Father’s creation and turning to see the look on His face. God knew creation was lost and desperate for hope. Their sinfulness had separated them from Him, the creator of the universe.
God was fully aware of the decisions we would make. He knew our eyes would turn and that we would rebel and cast away His perfect love and mighty hand.. Yet, He was not only aware of humanity’s rejection but also of His plan for restoration.
God’s son was in perfect union with Him. He loved and adored Jesus. He was His one and only. They dwelt together before the dawn of time. Looking into the eyes of Jesus, God spoke out of love for His creation.
Asking His Son to take off His royal garments and step down off the throne, Jesus was told by His Father to leave the heavenly kingdom and abandon everything...
Taking on the form of a man, Jesus left His heavenly seat and entered this world in a very helpless position; a baby. Born just like you and I. He was suddenly relying on mankind for everything; the same mankind that had rejected His Father.
Jesus would now experience life from the lens of humanity. He would experience hunger, and temptation. He would grow tired and weary. He would experience labor and the natural aches of a fleshly body.
As every year of His 33 years on earth passed by, I wonder what Jesus was thinking as He knew the Father’s plan? Death was on the doorstep and He would soon experience the weight of God’s wrath, the rejection of His Father, and the sins of all of mankind. The actual death seems less burdensome compared to all that Jesus was going to bear spiritually and mentally.
After several years of ministry, Jesus turned Himself over to the courts and withstood what will eternally be known as the worst suffering ever. Guiltless and perfect, He withstood the calling and followed through on what God asked Him to do.
The moment that the Old Testament had been telling of and that the whole universe’s hope hinged on had finally come. Jesus died. Publicly spat upon, His pierced body dangled from a wooden cross and in a moment’s time God’s wrath was satisfied and mankind’s sinfulness was forgiven.
In a dark tomb, there his body laid. The precious savior of the world was no longer living and was placed within darkness guarded by men.
But the story couldn’t and didn't end here. On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead and once for all conquered death for all mankind. As he stepped forth in triumph, the penalty owed for our sins was paid and death no longer had a hold on God’s creation. Death no longer has victory!
Our King is alive! He took our place and is now with His Father for all of eternity. His obedience and work on the cross has now made it possible for all of us to experience eternal life and relationship with a Holy God. Wow...
We were created to find the ultimate fulfillment in God. When we actually start allowing Him as the only thing that needs meaning to fulfill us, then we witness a glimmer into God’s wonderful kingdom. After all, He is preparing us for the day that we too see Him face to face.
On the day that we finally experience all of His glory without the world, or our flesh getting in the way, we will see how incredibly worthless it has been chasing around all these other false idols, American dreams, and dimly lit features the world offers.
But waiting is often so. terribly. hard. Our timing is very limited in view and insight; for we are often seeking after something that is driven through an earthly lens. I know I do.
But right in the center of waiting is where we become increasingly aware of God’s presence. Mercy flows into our hearts and the wisdom and knowledge of God’s timing become more evident. And He promises...God’s timing is perfect. He makes no mistakes.
He promises, that...though deep and agonizing it now is, all fades into the blissful depths of the very love you and I were created for. then, on that day, “the bad dream will be over: it will be morning” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). the broken bone will be set. the bleeding will be stopped. the tears will be dried up. all will finally be made right.
As I journey forward, I hope and pray that I can become better at sitting at God’s throne and at the bottom of the cross setting my affections at the one and only place where I was truly made to be inspired, loved, encouraged, and fulfilled.
No comments:
Post a Comment