It is in the times when our minds are filled with questions and night dances with shadows because the light is blocked by the height of the trees that we can sift through the broken pieces of our dreams, our expectations, to find praise that comes from the center of the flames.
Finding ourselves in the hole where the cross was stuck in the ground, in a place that we cannot escape, at the intersection of the realities, we come face to face with a decision. It really is the moment, the hour, the season to say, “I surrender my pain as worship.”
Even though our mind is offended, our heart will say, I will follow Jesus. He is a good leader.
When John the Baptist was in prison waiting to have his head served on a platter, I wonder what was going on in his mind and heart.
Did he worry about his disciples?
Did he wonder if Jesus would spare him his fate?
Did he have moments of doubt – a crisis of faith?
Why would he have asked the question, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matt 11:3
All Jesus said was to tell him what you have seen and heard. “Blessed is the man who does not fall on account of me.” Matt 11:6 Jesus was not going to spare his life. In John’s darkest night, Jesus still required him to believe.
When life doesn’t happen the way it is supposed to – kids aren’t supposed to die before their parents when you work hard there is supposed to be enough money to pay your bills when you ask believing you should receive (that’s in the Bible) – how do you respond?
Jesus is big enough to handle your anger, your disappointment, your frustration. But it is a blessing to those who don’t get offended by his leadership.
As the time of the Second Coming approaches and the Spirit of the Antichrist arises up in the land, the wheat will be separated from the tares in our communities but also in our heart. He is coming for the fruit that belongs to Him. When He leads us through the refiner’s fire, let the capacity of our heart expand to receive His love. In those times that we bleed in our sacrifice of praise, may we love like He did – with arms wide open, heart exposed.
#9 in my quest for revelation of The Great Commandment. To read more on pursuing The Great Commandment, go to the next blog in this series, “Made for Love, Marked for Purpose.”
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