[because I'm not]

For me this week, Easter is remembering God is capable. Sounds funny doesn't it? I'm serious though.

How many times do I say that but go and do things my own way? How many hours have I spent strategizing, worrying, planning, re-planning, over-analyzing and stressing about decisions, to-do's, undones and relationships rather than following God's command to pray? How many days have I rationalized my own way through instead of allowing God to lead me in sometimes unexplainable ways?

I like rational. I like planning. I like knowing the task ahead, figuring out how to get there and rolling up my sleeves to work.

But while that works for baking cookies, mowing the lawn and writing college papers, it doesn't work in relationships, ministry or life. Because I can't change people. I can't meet every need. I don't always have the answers, and my humanity has limits.

I forget that til I run spiritually dry, like yesterday, and then I'm forced to stop running and ask myself, have I allowed room for God to enter in? Am I so busy relying on my capabilities that I've forgotten His, and Him, in the process?

These things are hard for me to both accept and embrace. My pride and self-reliance enter in. If I could just have 5 more hours every day then I'd really get things done. If I could just do this or that more efficiently, then I'd have time to rest. And that's a dangerous road for me because it's not a trusting God route.

This week God seems to be chipping away at that part of my humanity through different people, verses and situations. And I'm learning once again, that what God brings our way is not about our capabilities but His, not our wisdom but His, and not our power or victory, but His. Like Easter - where we see all three of those in the cross and open tomb.

Father God, thank You for being a big God, a beyond capable God.

Thank you for being the God of thunderstorms, rain, sunrises, forests, shorelines and oceans, majestic mountains and dry, flat deserts.

Lord thanks for being God of both the lion and the ant, the elephants and the sparrows.

Thank You for being God over people, authorities, families, Your church and the nations. Thank You for being a God of relationships, love, joy and peace.

Thank You for being God over disappointments, failures, inabilities, eating disorders, depression, loneliness and all the cancers that eat our souls. Over divorce, broken churches, grief, disease and all the cancers that rob our joy. Over humanity, imperfection, sin and all the cancers that sabotage our efforts no matter how noble they are.

Father thank You that You are also the victor. Over sin. Over death. Over unrighteousness and ungodliness. Over wars and conflicts between people and nations.

Lord God thank You for being big. And God, thanks for being capable, especially because I'm not. Amen.

.

[for this very struggle]

Easter is seeing the truth of this verse in yourself . .

". .I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."  [romans 7:18]

. . and being reminded that Christ died and rose. For this very reason. For this very struggle. And God's ultimate glory. I see my critical and judgmental heart, and yet no amount of "self talk", valiant attempts or human strength has cured it.

Easter is remembering God didn't leave me in this to muster up more strength or give-in to the struggle and quit. It's going back to words like Hebrews 12:1-3 where we are urged to fix our eyes on Christ. The One who both began and finished this race we're in. The Christ who lived the life we couldn't and attained that same righteousness for us. At Easter.

[the very best medicine]

The last few days I've felt crappy. Finally stayed home yesterday to sleep and try to get over a cough/sore throat/headache cold. You know, the typical winter sickness almost everyone eventually gets hit with.

Then I woke up with another huge headache this morning and started feeling sorry for myself again. That's an easy thing to do when you don't fell good isn't it? At least it is for me.

But after a hot shower, breakfast and a cup of coffee, I sat down to read my Bible for the first time since Wednesday night. Immediately I was grateful for how it changed my perspective and got my eyes off myself onto God again. I'm sure the DayQuil kicking in also helped, but really, just to read God's truth and be reminded of what really matters, was very refreshing, very needed and very humbling. Reminded me of Psalm 119:103:

"How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth." 

Easter does the same thing. Gets our eyes off what we've done or how we feel and back to Christ and what He's done.

And no matter what our mountain is today - not feeling great, loneliness, sour work attitude, stressing over to-do's, finances or __________________ (you fill in the blank) - we can be encouraged that in light of the cross, everything seems quite small and insignificant. They seen like mountains to us today, yes, but in the grand perspective of things, they're just mole hills, just little bumps along the way.

Take a moment to read God's Word today. It's good, sweet, powerful, timeless truth, and for me today, the very best medicine.

[a song]

Today Easter is a song. Ever have that? A song strikes you at just the right time and seems to have the words and meaning you don't. So you play it on repeat to soak in the tune and message.

But how is that Easter you might ask? Go back to my original post [here] . Then think about what message you may have received today that seemed to come from God. Maybe it's a Bible verse. Maybe it's a prayer or a friend's word. It could have been something the pastor said this morning at church or the sign you  read driving home. You may have found an old note cleaning or connected with your daily Bible app verse, a timely text message or a song, like me.

Every day and person is different, but no matter how it comes, God is creative and relentless in reminding us of His presence, His victory, His goodness, His truth, His commands and His right to be trusted and obeyed in all things.

That's everyday Easter. A God who won our eternal souls on the cross but doesn't wait until then to bless, restore and work in and through us. He doesn't say "hang out on earth until you get to heaven". He's got a purpose for us right here and now on earth, a victory for us to declare and sweet messages of truth every day to guide us in not only knowing Him but making Him known.

My song these days:

[but also an adjective]

Today I am struck that "forgive" is not just a verb and a noun though that's how we often view it. God forgives us, so we should forgive others. God's forgiveness is free, so we should confess and ask for it while also passing it on to others.

It's a "to-do". It's an action. It's a gift given and received.

But what strikes me this morning is that it's also an adjective to describe God, and it's quite powerful that way. Seven times the word "forgiving" is used in my NIV Bible, and four of the seven are to describe God's character:

Nehemiah's prayer on behalf of Israel - "But they, our forefathers, . . . became 

stiff-necked, and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them."    [Nehemiah 9:16-17]

"You are forgiving and good, O LORD, 

abounding in love to all who call on you."    [Psalm 86:5]

O LORD our God you answered them;

you were to Israel a forgiving God."    [Psalm 99:8]

Daniel's prayer on behalf of Israel - "The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him."        [Daniel 9:9]

Forgiving. Something He is not just something He does. His very character, nature and reputation. And to me, that's powerful.

I mean, would you rather someone say you do kind things or that you are a kind person? Would you rather someone comment you played well in a game or that you're a good all-around player? Do you prefer praise that you led well or that you're a true leader? 

I'd pick the second every time. Because it's one thing to do something noticeable, but it's totally different when people see it as part of who you are, as your constant, natural and expected identity.

Even though Israel rebelled against Him, God didn't abandon His character. He was forgiving. Even though they appointed leaders to return to slavery (what?!), God was forgiving. Even though God had every reason to call it quits, give up, and desert His own people, He didn't on account of His character, and He doesn't with us because He's the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Today God showed me forgiving isn't just something He does or we do. It's who God is. In the same way, so was Easter. Not just something He did. Not just an action or verb, but a reflection of His very character - forgiving, redeeming, restoring, reclaiming no matter the cost. 

[along with Him]

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things."    [Romans 8:32]

"Along with him." That's the line that got me yesterday. God gave up what mattered most to Him. Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate gift. His victory - the ultimate triumph. He is the all. And we need nothing more because of it. But truth is, God didn't stop there. "Along with Him" God gives even more.

Erasing our debt wasn't enough. He also fills our savings accounts, or at least he did mine the last few weeks with:

• Safe travels during the first major snowstorm of the year.
• Fun, rich, meaningful family time at Christmas.
• Real-person time after endless Skype dates and phone calls with a man who's becoming my best friend.
• Endless Christmas foods to enjoy and savor.
• Sunsets against snowy landscapes.
• Seeing God's Spirit at work in an unbeliever's life.
• Laughter about nothing at all.

Jesus' death and resurrection gave us all we'll ever need. Yet "along with Him" God goes beyond the cross to bless us richly in ways we may never recognize or thank Him for. Health, relationships, basic needs, success, joy, fulfillment, riches, opportunities, etc. are grace, not required gifts from God.

For me, it's powerful to mediate on that and the fact that God gave His Son graciously, willingly, sacrificially, with joy despite the pain and for the sake of the world. Yet He didn't stop there in blessing us all.

Now as His follower, as His disciple, as one who has reaped the fruits of His generosity, you and I are to do likewise. Because we have all we need in Easter. And it's Him.

[white as snow]

Easter is waking up to a winter blizzard and being reminded of Isaiah 1:18:

'Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be white as snow;"

Then seeing the contrast between red and white as you trek through the snow to work:

 Super peaceful and powerful.