So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25)
I just returned from a spiritual renewal weekend. I go often. Among many of the other wonderful things experienced there - is morning worship. We all gather at the Lord's table to be fed - before we go to breakfast. It has been a very meaningful time for many. It is somehow more profound in this "camp like" setting.
Something often happens to me - some eye catching, soul catching thing, that moves me to a deeper understanding.
Like, one time, the pastor was pouring the juice into the cup ... and he must have poured too fast because it went in and then slooped right back up and out! Onto the cement floor. But when I was looking at it, it looked like it was happening in slow motion. I swear I could actually see each individual red drop falling - and exploding onto the floor. You know? As if a black light were shining on it.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Blood. Red blood. His blood.
Time stood still...
This weekend, after we went up to be served communion, we were invited to stop by a table that held a big bowl of water. In the water were a bunch of those "jewel type" stones. Green representing Father God the Creator, blue representing the Holy Spirit, and red for Jesus the Savior. Dip your hand in, they said. Remember your baptism. And take a stone - in remembrance.
I took a stone. A red one. And went back to my seat. As I opened up my hand, the sunlight caught it just right. And I saw this. Do you see it too?
A human hand.
A blood red spot.
In remembrance of Me.
Slow down.
Look for a moment.
Think.
Touch. See. And believe.
"I have seen the Lord!"
https://mppilgrimage.org/
Jesus' name has healed this man - and you know how lame he was before. Faith in Jesus' name - faith given us from God - has caused this perfect healing. (Acts 3:16)
My knitting/crocheting friends are cringing right now at the sight of all those loose ends! Because while working with yarn can certainly be enjoyable, having to weave in all those loose ends that come with every color change - can be labor intensive. But it has to be done in order for the project to be completed. Finished. Then we can see the beauty that time and commitment brought forth.
Are you constantly looking at, focused on, the raggedy side of your life? Does looking at your imperfections cause you to hold back from serving and loving the Lord?
God may have knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139:13), but it was Jesus Who has woven all the loose ends in.
All my mistakes.
All my errors in judgement.
All my bad attitudes.
All my sins.
All my wounds too.
All.
He paid it all.
Smoothed it all over.
Because of Jesus, the beauty of my life has been completed.
"It is finished". (John 19:30)
Praise the Lord, my soul.
and forget not all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things (Psalm 103: 2-5)
If you can see yourself forgiven, acceptable, loveable, you can then see yourself as able.
The beauty Jesus has provided us, if we receive it, accept it, will make us more able to serve and to love.
Because of Jesus, you are beautiful. Right now. Today.
Go in peace and serve the Lord.
