I’m sorry for the late post. I didn’t know what to write about. I actually have several pieces completed but not yet shared that I could have put up. I have a few in the works that I could have finished, but nothing seemed quite right. As I approached my self-given deadline (posting either Thursday or Friday each week), instinct told me to figure something out quick because I hate the idea of not meeting a deadline, failing to reach a goal, etc. but something kept me from doing so. I hope that is because what came to me late tonight (waking up after falling to sleep early, holding my littlest guy as we cried and prayed together) is exactly what somebody out there in cyber world needs to read.
Last February, I got a phone call. A fellow woman in ministry, though farther along in the journey than me, had heard about some of my struggles and was prompted to contact me. I appreciated the call, but had no idea what a gift would come as a result, a wonderful friendship. I love my sweet friend so much. She has been an instrument of God’s healing in my life. Her words and the tenderness in which she treats me have often been used to mend broken pieces and fill empty places as they are an echo of the words and attitude of Jesus. She has called out my uniqueness and helped me to feel comfortable with myself as she seems to find joy in knowing me and being in my presence. She also has no trouble challenging me when that is what I need, desiring that I become all that God has created me to be, knowing that growth happens through pain, so not shielding me from it. She has taught me many things; either sharing what she has learned or allowing me to learn with her. She has taken on a love for my family, treating my kids as members of her own. I could go on, like I haven’t listed the fun we have together or the all the laughs we share, but you get the gist. She’s something special. You may even get the privilege of “meeting” her as we have begun to do some writing together. I hope so. My sweet friend is in the hospital right now. She has had increasing problems with what seemed to be asthma at first (she does have that, but this is more, in addition to), but treatment wasn’t keeping it under control. After changes in medication, shots of steroids, and many breathing treatments, with no letup she was sent to the ER and later admitted. She still hasn’t improved. She’s receiving IV steroids and has a breathing treatment every two hours. As if a struggle to breathe isn’t enough, she’s developed pain in her ribs as a result of deep coughing, so she is being treated for that as well. As you might imagine, she is exhausted. I would say she is suffering. Seeming a part of her very nature though (her new one anyways, see 2 Cor. 5:17), she continues to teach, to point to Jesus even during such a rough road. Let me tell you a few things my friend has done during this difficult time.
Do you see what I see? Amidst her suffering, she hasn’t lost her love or concern for others. Do you see what I see? A teachable moment, as she reflects Jesus. Isn’t this exactly what He did? In the midst of His suffering, pain we can hardly imagine, others were on His mind. I thought about explaining the full and gruesome process of Roman crucifixion here, but I don’t think it’s necessary. If you have never heard what it entails, it won’t be hard to find with a quick internet search. Suffice it to say, it is horrible. Nailed to a cross would be excruciating, and then there was a struggle for each breath as the victim had to raise themselves up with nails in the hands and feet (wrists and heals or ankles), to take in any oxygen. Eventually, they could do so no longer and would die by asphyxiation. Of course, the suffering for Jesus didn’t start with his hanging on the cross. First he was beaten and a crown of thorns was pressed against his head. There must have been emotional trauma too. He was taunted. He was betrayed and denied and abandoned by those He loved. He felt forsaken by His Father. Jesus suffered. Suffering, Jesus had little concern for Himself. His words and actions as He hung there reveal this. Take a look at these passages with me. Luke 23 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” John 19 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. I see three instances in these verses that show Jesus’ love and concern for others amidst his own suffering. His death and resurrection alone held the power to save, but these words and acts revealed His character. First, He asked the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him. Second, he had a conversation with the other men on the cross, offering forgiveness to the one who repented. Third, He made sure His mother was cared for. Wow! My first thought as Jesus was brought to my mind by the reflection of Him in my friend was to assess my own response to suffering. Do I reflect Jesus? How have I expressed my love and concern for others despite what is going on in my own life? How can I do better? Those are fine questions to ask and I am sure the time will come to ask them again. Feel free to borrow them for yourself. However, I felt Jesus whisper to my heart that for now He simply wanted me to relish in the fact that as He suffered I was on His mind. After all, my sins held Him there too. Love for me drove Him to the ultimate sacrifice. When He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, there were generations to come that would need the same. When he forgave the thief on the cross, it was an example of what he does for all who believe and turn away from their sin. Making sure his mother was provided for was indicative of the care for me. He provides in so many ways. It occurs to me that the Lenten season starts this week. People will eat paczki (Yum! Go for it!), some will go crazy celebrating Mardi Gras, getting drunk and collecting beads. Some people will give something up ceremoniously, being driven by ritualistic religious traditions. Others will do so as a remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ and as a means of drawing closer to Him. However you observe this season, my hope and prayer is that you will take some time to savor the fact that while Jesus was on the cross, the event to which this season commemorates, you were on His mind. His love for you drove Him to the greatest of suffering and sacrifice and He didn't forget you while He was enduring it. Let that love envelope you and give thanks. P.S. You can totally pray for my friend, I would appreciate it!
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