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| Photo courtesy of Naypong/FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
A dear friend is going
through an especially challenging time at present on a number of different
fronts. Everywhere I turn I see the same; whether it’s sickness, unemployment,
challenges with children, broken something or other. It's heart breaking. There may be a number of
us in this community experiencing similar.
We often ask God “why?” and
“when will this end?” at times like this. When we have a friend going through tough
circumstances we want to be able to say something that provides understanding
or insight into their predicament. We want to help and ask God to provide the
words for us to share. We want to provide comfort and assurance.
A common response to our
pleadings is silence.
This only serves to add to our
confused state.
Jesus returns to Jerusalem
When Jesus returned to
Jerusalem riding on a donkey on Palm Sunday it was His first time back since
He’d raised Lazarus from the dead. Naturally, many were curious to get close to this man.
Was He the Messiah? Was He
the King they’d waited all these years for? Would He rescue them from the
clutches of Rome’s rule?
Naturally they were confused
that as the week progressed their hopes of freedom, their thoughts on who He was
and what He would do for them, didn’t transpire.
Linger
I’ve been particularly
inspired by Mary of Bethany in recent weeks. Her response to Jesus is quite
remarkable. One time we see her she is resting at Jesus’s feet while her
sister, Martha, busies herself with housework. Then we see Mary, the night
before Palm Sunday, dousing Jesus in expensive “pure nard” and wiping His feet
with her hair.
In both situations, Mary
didn’t seek a response. She simply chose to linger in His presence. She didn’t
seek to understand and let go of her striving.
Simply. To be.
She chose to be with Him. She
didn’t seek words … she had no agenda.
"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said." (Luke 10: 39 NIV)
Walk with Jesus
It’s a special week for us. It’s Holy Week.
“Holy Week teaches us to
trust God in every step – even when we can’t see His reasons.” (Desiring God)
Let us all choose to walk with Jesus on
His journey. To linger in His presence.
Let go of our agendas and let
Him fill us. Let Jesus set the agenda. Not necessarily with words but just His presence. Be filled by His love for you.
Ian Acheson is an author
and strategy consultant based in Sydney. Ian's first novel of
speculative fiction, Angelguard, is available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can
find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter
Thank you, Ian. So many imponderables in life, aren't there? But we are so blessed to be able, like Mary, to sit in Jesus' presence and, as you say, let him set the agenda and fill us with his love. Now we just need to do it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo-Anne, exactly. We just need to do it. I hope we all can make some decent time to sit in His presence over these next few days.
DeleteI've thought a lot about the Mary and Martha story over the years, heard many sermons about it too. At the end of the day, I think many of us want to be a Mary rather than a Martha, but the pressures of life keep us on our feet rather than sitting at His.
ReplyDeleteOther times though, I can choose. Rest. Relax. Absorb Jesus. Remember I'm a human 'being' not human 'doing'.
Thank you for your lovely post, Ian.
Thanks, Andrea. Wishing you a lovely Easter. Hope you get to spend more down time in the next few days and continue your gratitude posts.
Delete