I read a Tweet on Twitter today, that prompted an amazing quiet time with the Lord this morning. The question on Twitter was, “what is most important to you about the book of Hebrews”?
Immediately my mind went to Hebrews 12, verses one and two and I was overcome with thankfulness. I started pondering the years of bondage that I walked in, and the tremendous freedom that the power of Easter has brought to me.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
So often, I can run through life and I forget to stop and thank God for all the blessings He has poured out on me. Not just the physical blessings but the spiritual ones as well.
As this question hit my heart with such force, I repented immediately to the Lord for my dwindling gratitude for the tremendous freedom He has brought to my life and my lack of gratitude for Easter that is coming soon.
“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14
From the time I was little, the enemy was setting up a plan to destroy me and he just about did. But God in His infinite mercy and grace, heard my prayers, and began to set my feet upon a solid rock. Jesus.
As I pondered this passage in Hebrews and as I think upon Easter which is coming up soon, my heart grieves at how consumed by self I can become. I think about how in a few weeks, most of the world will be tuned into “Easter”. Their antenna’s will be up, maybe not fully looking for Him - but they will be up! And although many people will be thinking Easter eggs hunts and chocolate bunnies, we have a chance as Christians to use this time to share who God is in our lives. To invite people into an intimate relationship with the one who created them.
We have a chance, no matter how big or how small it might be, to be a beacon of hope to others. This is the time when the world will be dialed in to the topic of Easter and as Christians we have an opportunity to sound the trumpet of truth; the grace of Jesus Christ. The power of what happened on that Easter Sunday, over 2000 years ago is still alive today.
As Easter approaches, I find a new prayer arising in my heart. A prayer to become less religious and for God to give me a language and a way of connecting with others who do not know God. A way of being able to share with them the truth of who Jesus is in a way that their heart can come to know Him. One that is real and genuine. Authentic and transparent.
The truth that they are deeply loved no matter what they are walking through, or what they have done. Nothing is so bad that His love can not reach them and cover it.
I am asking God to make me a messenger of His grace. Of His infinite mercy. Of His abounding and astonishing love.
The world seems to be getting darker, not brighter. And as it gets darker, my prayer is I would become brighter. That I would not be afraid to shine the light of Jesus, so that others might know Him. I pray I would hold up the light, as high as possible in Him, so others can come and drink of the living water.
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10
My prayer this Easter is that I would continue to throw off EVERYTHING that entangles me and run the race for the sake of others. The world needs Jesus, and we need to become servants and witnesses of the gospel of grace and the power of the cross. Let’s carry Easter to others.
Lord,
Oh forgive me for my lazy heart, and my heart that has not been overflowing with gratitude for all you have done for me. Lord, forgive me for my lack of thankfulness. Not only for your saving work in my life, but the work of freedom you have done in me. Thank you Lord for throwing off the sin that has entangled me, the cords of death that were around me (Ps 18), so that I could be free to communicate your love with a lost and hurting world.
Lord, help me and empower me to share the message of Easter with those who need to hear it. Lord, just as I needed your grace back then, I need your grace to sustain me in each moment. To represent you well to others. Lord, empower me to do what you’ve called me to do (Acts 26:16-17).
“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:16-17
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
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