Reading Psalm 22 this Saturday between the bookends of Good Friday and Easter Sunday I am struck by the realization that God's plan is so far beyond me, was intricately designed and is so beautifully and heartbreakingly perfect. And that puts my soul at rest this morning. Because, if God did not spare His own Son from the pains of life (the deepest of which he experienced) in bringing about His glory, peace, joy and hope, then I rejoice that He does not spare us from those pains either.
Jesus came down to this earth knowing that his final destination -- the pinnacle of His journey -- was to be the cross and all of the shame, abuse and mocking that came with it. And He went forward without batting an eye because He knew that His people were worth it. And He knew that from it all -- after the pain and sorrow had come and gone -- would come unending joy. And this morning I rest in that.
This life promises struggles and sufferings, and when I think back to my personal encounters with the cross I remember the hurt and the moments of hopelessness I have experienced. I remember times filled with seemingly unending darkness, and I wouldn't want God to spare me from one moment of that. I rejoice in every struggle because through those times of weakness God was able to prove His strength, to refine my faith and character, and to move me one step further on the perfect path He has set before me. Now, don't get me wrong. When I'm going through those times of loss, they hurt. Bad. So badly that in the moment, I have absolutely cried out to God, asking Him why and how he could do this to me. But, once I finished my journey through those dark tunnels, I was able to marvel in the joy of the light of day all the more.
Jesus' journey was no accident. And Psalm 22 reminds me that each detail of His passion was perfectly orchestrated far before any of them came to be. And, today, I rejoice knowing that our God is a God of details and love. May your Easter weekend be abundantly blessed knowing what was done out of unending love for you.
Jesus came down to this earth knowing that his final destination -- the pinnacle of His journey -- was to be the cross and all of the shame, abuse and mocking that came with it. And He went forward without batting an eye because He knew that His people were worth it. And He knew that from it all -- after the pain and sorrow had come and gone -- would come unending joy. And this morning I rest in that.
This life promises struggles and sufferings, and when I think back to my personal encounters with the cross I remember the hurt and the moments of hopelessness I have experienced. I remember times filled with seemingly unending darkness, and I wouldn't want God to spare me from one moment of that. I rejoice in every struggle because through those times of weakness God was able to prove His strength, to refine my faith and character, and to move me one step further on the perfect path He has set before me. Now, don't get me wrong. When I'm going through those times of loss, they hurt. Bad. So badly that in the moment, I have absolutely cried out to God, asking Him why and how he could do this to me. But, once I finished my journey through those dark tunnels, I was able to marvel in the joy of the light of day all the more.
Jesus' journey was no accident. And Psalm 22 reminds me that each detail of His passion was perfectly orchestrated far before any of them came to be. And, today, I rejoice knowing that our God is a God of details and love. May your Easter weekend be abundantly blessed knowing what was done out of unending love for you.
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