TRANSFORMED BY THE RESURRECTION
I sat there not trying too hard to hide my irritation… I hadn’t shown the girl in the mini-van much grace on the way over to the breakfast joint either. After she cut me off and I slammed on the brakes, laid on the horn, and raced around her to hold my arms out to the sides, shoulders up, palms faced toward the sky, as if to say, “What’s wrong with you?” She mirrored my response and waved as if to say, “I’m so sorry! – I didn’t see you!”
She showed humility, but that wasn’t enough for me to show the waiter from molasses land any grace or mercy either. All this after a compelling sermon about the love we’re to show to our family in Christ along with the lost world on Palm Sunday… Human nature… even with wisdom from God it falters mightily.
The regret caused me to consider people… I thought about the history of the world… I pondered us; the people of America – the most blessed people to ever have walked upon the face of this earth. And yet most of us seek immediate gratification in our flesh as well.
How many of us are living out the words of Christ perfectly? I’ve got a hunch if we were the social landscape wouldn’t be faltering the way it is… It is the same for us today as it’s always been.
I consider the people who so desperately wanted a conquering king in Jesus Christ. They wanted honor and glory – the kind that their ancestors had under King David. The wanted justice from and upon Rome, they lusted for the things of their flesh. My heart mourns as I think about the people that cheered the New King of Judah and Israel and how in hours their love of their desires and flesh turned to bloodlust… It was all about them…
Those people enjoyed the mutilation and torture of what they thought was a helpless man. And as they jeered and loved to hate that man that they didn’t know was God Himself… He loved them. He prayed for them. He’d fed, healed, and loved the humans that were determined to kill Him.
I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised when the world hates us too… but how will they hate us if they think we’re in the same camp as they? How will they know us if we look and act exactly like them? “They will know you by the love you have for one another.” And, “Love your enemies…”
Love is a choice and love is an act… I’m not sure if anyone saw any love in me on Palm Sunday. The reflection of my heart was the image of the ugly human hearts that make up the ugly truth in world history…
It is the truth of God and His Son’s sacrifice that transforms instinct into supernatural power of God through His love that transform hearts… and history…
Happy Easter to all…
HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 5:57 am
I’ve had those days, too, Floyd. Happy Easter.
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 9:10 am
Thanks, Dan. Glad to know I’m not the only one who struggles sometimes. Happy Easter to you and your daughter!
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 5:52 pm
I felt so helpless as I came out of the beauty shop and tried to start my van. apparently I had left the lights on and ran the battery down. Using the hairdressers phone, i called my husband who almost did not answer because he did not recognize the caller ID. He did answer and was more than happy to bring his truck and battery cables and get me going again. I did not yell at anyone, but I was a bit angry with myself for being so careless. I am glad you got over your huff and was able to concentrate on the good day Palm Sunday. Your honesty is amazing and teaches me to watch my own emotions.
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 6:43 pm
Thanks, Hazel. It is so easy to be grumpy. God is opening my eyes quicker than He did before. We should really be joyful in all things. Being in almost any scenario is a blessing and a gift. We have the cars to be able to drive around in freedom. I had the privilege of being out to breakfast on Palm Sunday with my wife after church – I just need to check my perspective. Thanks for your honesty and encouragement as well. Happy Easter, Hazel. God bless you and your entire family!
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
Don’t be so hard on yourself…we are all cut of the same cookie mold….Happy Easter…
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 6:44 pm
Thanks, Betty. We are so blessed. I just want to be one of the wise children of God who can see the beauty and blessing in all circumstances. Happy Easter to you and yours as well, Betty. God bless.
Friday, March 29, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
Wow, Floyd, I totally get this. Sadly, just ask Sheridan, who is with me when I drive. I never speed, but I am not the most gracious driver when it comes to people cutting me off, etc. I really need to mind my manners. And truly, any reaction that is not controlled by His Spirit is not pleasing to Him. And you’re right: We don’t want people to hate us because we treat them badly…….but rather, if they hate us because they hated Him, and we are emulating Him. Sometimes, I think that Christians behave worse than the world. Think of things like elections and all the mean-spirited rhetoric spewed out in the name of justice or even Christianity. We call people names like “illegal aliens” and others w/ whom we disagree we crown with choice slurs. I am not saying one way or the other what I think about the issue of immigration……but I have read repeatedly in Scripture lately how God treats the aliens and sojourners (referred to both ways) with love and compassion. Interesting, huh? On this Good Friday, as we contemplate with sober minds all that Christ suffered and sacrificed for us so that we could live with Him eternally, it behooves us to live FOR Him……to live with honor, humility, and death to our sinful ways. It behooves us to live FOR Him by loving those for whom He died…..including our enemies. Because, after all, did not He love us when we were yet *His* enemies?
Such a truly wonderful post, Floyd. Thank and bless you, and Happy Easter to you, Diane, and the girls.
Fondly
Lynn
Saturday, March 30, 2013 @ 9:32 am
Very well said, Lynn. We tend to forget that God loves all of His creation… the very thing He wants us to do and the very thing Christ did. Heart and compassion should be our mark, not impatience or disdain. Too often it takes me doing something ignorant like that at just the right time to make me take a step back and look at myself. All things are gifts from Above. We’re called to look at it with the right perspective. Thanks for wonderful summary. Well done! Happy Easter to you, Michael, and Sheridan. God is good. Thanks for taking the time, I know what a difficult week you guys have had. I’m honored.
Saturday, March 30, 2013 @ 10:12 am
OH thank you so much, Floyd, and I can assure you that the pleasure and honor is all mine! And bless you for understanding the spirit in which I commented. I had no idea when I started pecking away on the keyboard that I would mention politics. Ugh. Interesting about writing…..how one thought just leads to another. Let these thoughts here lead to Jesus, and to joyous Easter wishes.
God bless you, Floyd, and all you do here!
Lynn
Saturday, March 30, 2013 @ 11:19 am
I completely understand how the writing seems to lead us into places we didn’t know we were going! May they all lead to Him. Thanks, Lynn.
Saturday, March 30, 2013 @ 8:36 am
The words we hear and what we write can often test us. I at times after hearing a sermon or writing a post I’m tested in what I’ve just heard or “preached”(in my writing). Sometimes I pass the test and other times I fail it. Great post and Happy Easter!
Saturday, March 30, 2013 @ 9:34 am
So true. It’s hard to share the weak moments, but it’s part of life in this fallen world. God is at work teaching and redeeming us. That’s the Gospel, brother… Thanks, Dan. Happy Easter to you and your family.