My “God of Divine Opportunities”
during Lent, had something else up His sleeve for Holy Week –
REDEMPTION.
As we entered Jerusalem on Palm
Sunday to the cheers and adulation's of the crowd (definitely would be MY kind
of parade!), the story slowly started to unravel to the utter abandonment of
Good Friday. All but one
disciple deserted Jesus, a fact that had previously escaped me. The throngs of loving followers turned
into an angry mob and there was betrayal by those closest to him. I’ve heard the story thousands of
times, yet this year what rang through loudest was REDEMPTION.
My moments of defeat,
disappointments, and failures are actually rather minuscule in the grand scheme
of things; but when I’m in the muck and mire, they loom like dark torrents of
rain that never seem to end. And
that is just the time a small ray of sun breaks through with a glimmer of hope
and offers the possibility of redemption.
This week I’ve had occasions to
share personal redemption stories with women in my small group, my early, early
(6AM!!) bible study, and in a front porch rocking chair conversation with a
friend. Only a few of these women
have I known for many years and have walked through the valleys and mountain
tops of our lives together; while others I am just becoming acquainted with,
our journey together only beginning.
However our conversations have shown me it makes no difference; we all
have redemption stories and it is in the sharing that God uses us to reach out to
others. Redemption is meant to be
played forward.
Watch for your redemption
stories. They come in all shapes
and sizes, but they are all around, waiting to be claimed. Then pass them along; someone needs to
hear your story.
Wishing you a Joy-filled,
Glorious, Resurrection Sunday!
Redemption
Ripples of Grace
flowing downstream
Baptizing hearts
hardened by hurt
Nudges of forgiveness
promising release
Healing transgressions
mercies undeserved
Showers of light
illuminating paths
Weary travelers called
to Resurrection Life
Weaving of love
God to man
Tapestry of redemption
death to rebirth
March 28, 2013
Maundy Thursday
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