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March 25, 2008
An Easter Realization
Last week I asked God to help me really appreciate Easter, to give me a new insight into what He's done for me. I kind of felt ashamed having to pray a prayer like that, I mean, salvation is so amazing, how can it lose its wonder for me? But I am human, and it's so easy to get caught up in myself and other distractions or move through the day automatically. But neither did I want to feel as though I had to have an intense emotional experience to show Him my appreciation for his sacrifice. As an emotional girl, that tends to be my mindset.
God answered this prayer in my quiet time on Thursday, when I was directed to Hebrews 12:1+2:
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I pondered the words and read it a few times, and suddenly it hit me right between the eyes. That little phrase, "for the joy set before Him"--that joy was me, you, us. Jesus was looking forward to reconciliation and relationship with us, and it was that joy that got Him through the pain of the cross! Wow!
Maybe you're reading this thinking, "Duh, Shan!" And I may be the only dunce who hasn't read this correctly before. :) I've always read it more like, "Inspite of the joy of heaven and being God, Jesus set that all aside and died for me," or "Jesus gave up all the fun he could have had and chose me." But I've had it all wrong, and the dawning of truth in my heart has been so cool. Our pastor shared the same verse Sunday and again it resonated and gave me the new appreciation of Easter that I asked for so sheepishly. And it just keeps hitting me...
But I'm learning--slowly--that God doesn't resent or scoff at our prayers for more of Him.
Posted by Shannon at March 25, 2008 06:19 PM
Comments
I learned a lot from this post, great help for me, thank you!
Posted by: Elizabeth Machine at August 19, 2011 08:51 AM
Much appreciated for the information and share!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy at September 20, 2011 11:39 PM