by Cathee Poulsen
I came across this quote earlier today and it struck me that this is what Easter is all about. Isn’t it? And we commemorate it and celebrate the resurrection, but when this same quote is a picture of our lives, we forget that something that seems to be unraveling by the second, might just be getting ready to break forth in a new form.
How many times have you and I have thought we were completely undone? Our lives as we knew them were over and all was lost. Certainly those eleven remaining disciples all believed the mission failed. They went back to their boats. They’d given up the dream.
” Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24
Here’s the truth that brings it all home. That helps us keep moving forward even when it looks like complete destruction. The truth of this one phrase in 1 John 4:17 “as He is, so are we in this world.” Be encouraged, rather than dis-couraged.
Did we think we’d have an easier path? That somehow our lives, as His followers, would look smoother, or less pressured? Probably. I’m sure I did. For a long time. But one sweet day I realized this is what life is about, everyone’s life. Periods of smooth sailing and a clear path, and then the curve in the road, The unexpected roadblock or detour.
Each time we threaten to fall in the ditch, if we call out, He’s always there. Hand outreached, that lopsided smile we love, and “C’mon, baby. Let me help you through.” If we accept the offer, we go through another growth spurt.
If you find yourself on the edge of pending disaster this Easter, or you’ve just hit the doldrums and asked for the gazillionth time, “Why me?” Just glance towards the cross. It’s a worn-out cliche´now, Tony Campolo’s famous sermon, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a’comin’.
Maybe a better quote to end with, is a favorite of mine ,
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” ~Frederick Buechner
Mostly likely your life is not better or worse than anyone else’s. You’re just in a different stage of growth.
This was exactly what I needed to hear today. You have helped me see my current circumstances in the proper perspective. I am so very grateful.
So very True for all!
We died with Christ, we were buried with Christ, we were resurrected with Christ, we live and move and have our being in Christ. Nothing can touch us unless it goes through Him. When the level of our understanding brings us to the truth that the Father is in charge of everything, all fear leaves.
Cathee,
You have NO idea how much I needed to hear this right now!
Thank you, friend, for the grace to see growth…even in the day’s disasters.
<3
I’m learning to find the joy in everything, good and bad and this was a beautiful way of understanding for me.
I left off the most important part of my comment.
Cathee, Your words flow with grace and encouragement. Your gift to speak into our lives at just the right time is a blessing. Thank you Cathee for your consistent nudging to help us along the way. Keep on keeping on and when we come out the other side of Way Cool, we will be like Him. Thanks again. G.
Beauty, clarity, wisdom, worship and love – and much more all in one blog!! Thanks Cathee
Thank you Tiff for your blogs they always seem to hit the right note. Yes we all go through wonderful and horrible times. I’m in the sitch now but I know HE’S right there with me. Bless you