This is the season of lent, as most of you know. For me; I have never really participated in lent and the concept is relatively new to me. When I was younger I just never really remember it being taught that much; either that or I wasn't paying attention. (I don't know…I have somewhat of a short attention span) This year I wanted to participate and learn what it was all about. Today at my (home) church we listened to a service where our pastor talked about Gethsemane; which was a place that Jesus and His disciples went to pray. In the scripture Jesus is deeply distressed and troubled. In my mind I was thinking “WHAAAT?”. Hearing about Jesus being overwhelmed and discussing this during this season of lent; and how Jesus too was tempted by earthly things. It reminded me that Jesus was of the flesh, He was human, He was obviously more than human because He was God himself but He had flesh. He suffered. He was tempted. He wept. He bled while crucified. All of these things leave me more in aw of Him. I can't think of anything more that can make my love for Jesus well up inside me than thinking of His human life being full of suffering, distress, and struggles because in my heart I know He overcame it all. He overcame it because of His love for YOU…ME…ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN. Our God and our Savior overcome everything this world is. Jesus had a choice; He could have discarded God's will for His life and left us all as broken sinners. Jesus trusted God's will for His life.
For lent I gave up facebook, (silly I know) but my intentions were good. I thought without facebook I would have more time with God and I would magically become more diligent with spending time with God and in His word. Instead I have found myself staying later at work or sleeping more. I feel further away from God then when I was still on facebook. This past weekend I was tempted after my mom told me about some pictures that were posted from an R-squad get together. I caved…I looked at the pictures. So today when I heard this message at church where it talked about Jesus overcoming all the worldly temptations I was a bit ashamed to say I couldn’t even overcome the temptation to look at facebook when I so proudly gave it up for lent. That leads me to my 4-hour car ride back to my house this afternoon I was listening to Chris Tomlin and a song sang out these words;
“There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead”
God spoke to me He knew I needed His presence and He delivered. He reminded me I am only human.
I have a heart and a desire to be like Jesus and to follow our amazing God but my heart and flesh WILL fail but God has an anchor for my soul. I may stray away at times with my intentions are good but I know deep down in the depths of my toes that God has a tight hold on my life, my heart, and my soul. I will pray I will always find my way back to Him. He will never leave or forsake me.
<3 poured out for you!
