I read or heard this passage 4 times today:
"What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."
1 Corinthians 15: 42 - 44
For the majority of my life I've understood the point of Easter and why we celebrated it. I believe and trust that the message is true. This year I feel drawn to the power that is in the message.
As I get older, I find myself seeking fulfillment and satisfaction in perishable things; my family, my friends, my students, my work, learning... the list could continue for some time. I also find myself sinning more, constantly battling weakness and dishonor.
That passage and the message of Easter/ Resurrection Sunday gives me hope beyond anything this world could offer. Tonight I was watching a documentary on Heaven and another about Joni Eareckson Tada (if you don't know who she is click here) I was reminded of what it is I am seeking in these earthly things, this longing I have to be fulfilled, to be loved completely, is my hearts desire to to be made perfect by Jesus. I can seek to be filled by things (even the good things of the earth) but will never be even remotely close to being fulfilled.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus I will be filled. For now my time on earth may be lonely and it may be painful and I may feel empty, but that is my opportunity to suffer as Jesus did. In sufferings and trials, I will be able to truly understand Jesus even better and become more like Him.
Today, my prayer is that I become an amazing woman of God. Not for my own benefit, but that He may be glorified as I become more like Him. I want to lay my sinful pride, my stubborn attitude, my bitterness at His cross and praise Him for every event and non-event of my life - good and bad. His plan is perfect, He is good, His will is best. He is the "Grand Weaver" who is weaving the pattern of my life. I might not understand it now, maybe not for a long time, but I rest assured that it is going to beautiful; only if I trust Him and remember the message of the cross and the message of His resurrection.
The words of this chorus are part of my prayer:
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You
Have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the Highest
~bridge and chorus to Hosanna by Hillsong album Saviour King
1 comment:
Hey Kristen, I didn't know you were on blogspot, but I'm going to start reading it, and add it to my blogroll. I think it's so awesome what you are doing in Korea. I'm sure some time my family and i will go out there. Did you know my wife is Korean? Her parents immigrated here from Pusan, Korea. She's barely Korean, like she doesn't speak it very well or go by the traditional culture much though, which I'm glad of, because I don't think I could be with a traditional Korean lady. Anyways that was dumb, so I'll talk to you later.
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