Tag Archives: #GoodFriday

I failed miserably

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Thirty-eight days ago, I encouraged you to go on a 40-day journey in which you (and I) would draw closer to the Lord as we prepared for #Easter. Here we are on Good Friday, how’d you do?

The title of this post may be a little dramatic. I didn’t fail miserably, but I certainly wasn’t consistent with a new spiritual habit. Like the disciples in the garden, I couldn’t stay awake. I didn’t find time every day to be with the Lord in an intentional manner that would focus more closely on the history-making, life-giving sacrifice of Easter. But that’s ok.

If I were perfect, I wouldn’t need Easter. And I need it. I need the Sunday-morning empty tomb every day. It brings such great comfort in this mixed-up world to know the tomb was empty. The truth of Christ’s #resurrection is an everyday reminder that the #God of the universe … you know the One who created the heavens and the earth … lived a perfect life, never being distracted from His one purpose, took a beating no man should have survived, died a humiliating death, and three days later walked out of His own grave. That’s profound. He did it for me and you.

As this is being posted, we are at the hour of Christ’s death. The world turned dark. I wonder if even nature wept for its Creator. We know that there was an earthquake. But Sunday’s coming. In our darkest hours of life, we can remember that Sunday is coming. In the meantime, we hold on to God’s strength. God’s life-giving power.

God’s power over death when He walked out of His own grave is the same power we are offered to overcome the darkness that shadows our lives. We step out into His light, His hope, and breathe renewal.

I’ve confessed that I haven’t spent intentional time getting ready for Easter Sunday, but every day I’ve connected with our Savior in prayers that were sometimes simple. Every day, I stepped into His light and recognized where my strength comes from. Every day, He met me and accepted me for who I am, in all my imperfections. He doesn’t leave me there. We are encouraged to continuously flea from the temptations of this world. To not give in. To lean into our mighty God to overcome and walk with Him.

He will meet you as well. He already knows and loves you. Today, He’d like to walk with you because the tomb was empty on that first Easter.

Peace and blessings,

KK

#GoodFriday

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It’s Good Friday. One of the darkest days in history. Or at least it was for those who lived it. We know what happens three days later, but the witnesses of the crucifixion weren’t sure. Those closest to Christ had left families, homes, and jobs to follow and serve him. There they stood hiding in the crowd or just hiding, clinging to all hope that what he told them was true. He would rise from the grave and make a better way for them and millions to follow throughout time. A better way. An eternal way.

Thinking in terms of eternity is so hard when we’re trying to navigate this world and the ups and downs it presents. It has been said that there are 365 “fear not” statements (or some form of do not be afraid) in the Bible. I’ve not counted them, but if there are, that’s one for each day of the year. Many times fear not is followed by comforting and reassuring words from or about God.

Here are just a few I found. What’s interesting is that while they are words of comfort, there is often a suggested action on the believer’s part. Words of encouragement have no power unless the recipient opens their mind and heart to them. Where is your heart as you read these:

“He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8

“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Isa. 43:1

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isa 41:10

“Do not be afraid Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Daniel 10:12

“But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.'”

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted in times of unsureness. But the real key to taking in this verse is to go back to verse 10. It is there that we see that God is faithful and fulfills promises, but it’s in His time; when the time is right. I don’t know what makes the time right. Because God doesn’t function within the constraints of clocks and calendars, more than likely it’s a heart thing or having all the right people in the right place at a given time. Not a clue. So like I mentioned the other day, we just have to listen and expect to hear him and be ready to walk forward in faith.

That fateful Friday the earth shook, it was dark at noon, and nobody understood what was happening or when it would end. Ever felt that way?

Jesus felt that darkest hour when he cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me? Do you think the disciples were thinking the same of him? But then Christ “yielded” his soul. He gave up His life.

In our darkest hour, are we yielding our hearts to the will of God?  On this #GoodFriday yield your heart, bow your head and mourn for this world’s loss was eternity’s gain. Sunday will come literally and figuratively.

Jesus walked out of his own grave to solidify our hope in eternity and in promises about our time on earth that will be kept.

God Bless,

KK