Good Friday...

We watched the Passion of The Christ again last night.  It is our Easter tradition.  Breaks my heart every single time.  EVERY single time.  There is something very powerful about seeing the scripture acted out so blatantly and realizing, even the movie isn't as bad as it really was for Jesus.  The resounding question returns, "Who am I Lord?"  I can't believe He did that... for me.  I guess I never will.

Today, we are preparing for a Service at church.  A time to remember.  As I sit here awaiting the time to go, some things are on my heart.  Perfect time to blog, don't ya think?  So here they are....

1.  He forgave me.  He FORGAVE me.  How can I NOT forgive others, when HE forgave ME?  I think of some that have deeply wounded me or wounded those I love.  Though I am not ever called to embrace their cruelness, I am called to forgive them even when they could care less if I do. Today, again, I think of those that have wounded the most deeply and I pray to have a heart like Christ... even if they could care less.

2.  The grave could NOT hold Him!  And because of that... NO darkness in our lives can hold us, as long as we choose Him who defeated it all!  That is powerful when you think about some of the hard things in life...

3. My sin killed him.  MINE.  May I always look at ME first before assume a self-righteous place of judging another.  Though some sin is more out there than others, we all have it.  We shouldn't like it in others, but we MUST start with ourselves first.  Again today, Lord, start with me...

4.  On the third day, He ROSE again.  Just like He said.  Though the torturous death is vivid in my mind today, the thing that is most powerful, is the way I felt when I think of Him finally taking that last breath.  What victory for Him in that moment, and on the third day, victory for all.  I can't imagine how Jesus felt when He looked up and said "It is finished.  I commence my spirit..."  And I can't imagine when I take my last breath on earth.   How much the same I too will feel, only I will remember always, I don't deserve it!

5.  He died so we could LIVE.  That is most powerful in my mind today.  He didn't die so I could be sad and struggle and worry for today, or especially tomorrow.  He died so that I could LIVE.  Now... and Forever!  That is powerful.  POWERFUL!

So today, I live.  I could worry about the illnesses of many.  I could worry about the trying times in education.  I could worry about broken children.  I could worry about finances.  But today, I am going to live.  I mean to do it every day.  I really do.  What did I learn most from my Tuffy?  That TODAY could be all I have.  But life happens and I get caught up often. I forget.  Shameful, but I forget.  As often as I remember, I find I turn right around and forget. 

But for today, I forgive those "who know not what they do."  And I forgive those that know exactly what they do.  I don't have to like the sin, but I must remember to love the sinner.... for I am loved.  Hard thing to do.  And I must choose to live.  His death must not be in vein.  So today, I remember... and I purpose to live.  "He cares for the birds of the field.  How much MORE will He care for me?" 

It IS a GOOD Friday!

Robin