The Great Mystery

Write From My Heart / February 18, 2021 / The Great Mystery

            Just of couple of quick thoughts coming from my heart this morning. As I think about the greatest mystery of all time—that Christ should leave his Father’s side, come to earth in human form, suffer temptation yet without sin, suffer unspeakable cruelties to the very death on the cross—and all to be our Savior. Yet he did not stop at death, he rose victorious from the grave, ascended back to his Father’s side where he awaits the command to redeem those found faithful, (1 Timothy 3:16). It is overwhelmingly humbling that we would matter so much to our Heavenly Father. We are told that the Lord is coming soon and not to worry about anything but pray about everything, (Philippians 4:5-7). We are told to be diligent, watch what we do in life, and hold fast to truthful doctrines, (1 Timothy 4:15-16). We are reminded that God’s ways are not our ways; that his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, furthermore that God works out all things toward the goal of what is good and right, (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28). My mind is scarcely able to comprehend it all—yet I am thankful—I am blessed—I am loved—I am redeemed!

I Am Not Skilled to Understand (D. Greenwell, 1873)

I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned; I only know at His right hand stands One who is my Savior.

I take Him at His Word and deed; “Christ died to save me,” this I read; and in my heart I find a need of Him to be my Savior.

That He should leave His place on high and come for sinners here to die; You find it strange? So once did I, before I knew my Savior.

And living, dying, let me bring my strength, my comfort from this spring: That He who lives to be my King once died to be my Savior.

Ash Wednesday - New Beginnings - A Fresh Start

Write From My Heart / February 17, 2021 / Ash Wednesday – New Beginnings – A Fresh Start

Introduction

            Today I accept the privilege of a new beginning—a fresh start. After setting devotional writing aside for several weeks (since January 24^th, to be precise), I have decided to resume writing the things I feel from my heart. By the way, the only reason I remember the date is because that was the very day my rude and callous words hurt someone else deeply. At that time, I remember thinking to myself that if I couldn’t be civil or kind to others then it would be fairly hypocritical for me to continue writing anything, especially those things of a devotional nature, even after sincerely apologizing for my attitude.

            What I sincerely believe is that when we are forgiven by our Heavenly Father through the sacrifice of Christ, we are truly forgiven. Not only this, but our Heavenly Father also remembers our sins no more. (See Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 43:25, among others.) Unfortunately although our Heavenly Father does not keep throwing our offenses back into our pathway, we do. As I was thinking of my failure to “let it go” I happened to notice a post from one of my New England cousins (thank you, P.B.S.) which stated:

Trying to hurt me by bring up my past is like trying to rob my old house. I don’t live there anymore. That ain’t my stuff! (--A Modern Day Ruth, FB February 5^th)

            That’s when I realized what I was doing to myself. If the recipient of my unkind words has forgiven me, and if my Heavenly Father has forgiven me, then it is time for me to forgive me. I don’t have to go back to the same house anymore. I don’t live in the realm of the past anymore. The road leads forward and that is the direction I choose to travel.

            Today is Ash Wednesday. Although I have never meticulously followed the Lenten season, I did pick up the devotional booklet our church is using this year. For those interested, it is called Places of the Passion, R. Lessing, 2021 Creative Communications for the Parish, and it is available in print or for Kindle through Amazon and Nook. From time to time I will include some of the thoughts from this devotional booklet. What I realize is that the history of Ash Wednesday and the significance of ashes is the symbolic representation of the fact that we are mortal—made of dust—and we will return to dust after death. (Genesis 3:19, Job 7:21, Psalm 78:39, Psalm 90:3) However this is not the terminus for those with faith in Christ. There will be a resurrection—a day of blessed hope that is yet to come. (Isaiah 26:19, Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 6:14 and 15:51-52, Titus 2:13) My goal to be on the rejoicing side of that Day of Blessed Hope is dependent upon my faith in Christ. Thankfully, my faith in Christ is not dependent upon my own wisdom and strength or I would surely falter, but upon the power of God who gives such faith generously to those who seek it. (1 Corinthians 2:5)

Thoughts to ponder:  “To know Jesus is to trust Jesus; to trust Jesus is to love Jesus; to love Jesus is to follow Jesus.” ~~R. Lessing, Places of the Passion, (2021)