Today is a poignant day. Good Friday represents the day that Heaven's heart broke as Christ was crucified for the sin of the entire world. Thank goodness, I know the rest of the story. Thank goodness I know that three days later, Heaven's victory cry sounded loud enough for the entire world to hear for the rest of time!!
But, I looked around my house this morning and realized that the only things Easter-ish in the house is 2 bags of plastic Easter eggs waiting on the island for the somebody to do something with them. Thing 2 wanted to give them to a friend to hide, but that hasn't happened, so there they sit.
Oh, and the eggs & egg dye. sitting there, waiting, still in the box.
Instead, my home looks like mildly organized chaos. Garage project happening means that things are out of place, laundry piles are growing waiting for the machines to be hooked back up and there is all manner of paint brushes, tape, epoxy, goggles, tools, and stir sticks laying around.
Have I totally failed?
In my heart this is pretty much the most special holiday, second only to Christmas because with Christmas you get a lot more time to eat cookies and blame it on the 'holidays'! Otherwise, it's a tie.
But, I worry that you can't see it in how I act. I realize I don't live it for my children. Yeah. . . . . I pretty much feel like a failure.
This morning I was reading in Galatians about Freedom. Freedom is also our theme for Easter at church, so I always think it's fun when my personal devotions mesh up with what is happening in life. But, as we've already established, I've kind of been a failure at Easter this year, so this morning, as I read my Bible, I was overwhelmed as He spoke to me about why Easter is special and why it is real. (And, thank goodness, it took away failure level for Easter decor)
"It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free."
"Christ has set us free to live a free life."
As I sat there and read that. . . . and looked around at my utter failure to show Easter on the outside - thought about the pain that I have caused people and the pain that I have felt because of others - also an utter failure to show Easter on the outside. What have I done?
The act of Jesus Christ dying on the cross - taking with Him my sin, my failure, my heartaches . . . .all of my utter failure - is a priceless gift that I can never EVER repay . . . except to try to honor it with my life and invite others into that same freedom. But, there are so many times that I go and blow it SO big. and, I don't just mean not decorating for Easter.
But, then, Jesus Christ came back from the dead. The tomb was open and He wasn't there. Because His amazing gift of his life wouldn't have been enough if not wrapped in the Victory of His resurrection!! Because in His victory, I am able to learn to love like Him. In His victory I am safe to know that my heart is held, and that I can come back for grace when I mess up.
In His victory, I know that the failures on the outside - the un-Easter house, the heartaches and pain - have been exchanged, beautifully, for peace and contentment for the process - both inside and out!
Disillusioned I was lost and insecure
You were waiting at the door, Then I let You in
For my redemption, You carried all the blame
Perfection took our place
Could make a way
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange
There is nothing, that could take this love away
Is to love You just the same
Could make a way
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange
Could break these chains
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange
Holy is Your name
With everything I've got
My heart will sing how I love You
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