Well, I just wanted to throw out there that I have had an
incredible Easter Weekend. On Thursday I went to a Maundy Thursday service at
my church. I think that was the first time I had been to a service like that.
It was beautiful! It really helped me to understand more of what Jesus was
going through in the final hours of his life. Not that I will ever identify- or
want to, but it was eye opening.
Here is pic that I took of the program:
My favorite part was the singing of Agnus Dei. It was
beautiful. I just sat there, peacefully, in the dimly lit sanctuary and soaked it
up. As I listened I tried to imagine what Heaven would be like. I probably
looked a little ridiculous if anyone happened to see me- sitting there in the
dark with my eyes closed, and smiling! Ha! I don’t care. Heaven is going to be
way greater than I can imagine. Being apart of the multitudes singing praises
to God is unfathomable. It will be incredible, just incredible.
Lyrics of Agnus Dei:
- Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
- Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
- Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
- Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
- Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
- Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
So I left the service in awe of what Jesus had to endure
just so I could be made whole. I feel like I should be indebted to him
eternally, but I am free. And with that freedom I choose to live for him.
Because goodness gracious he is good! And that there just about sums that
up!
On to Sunday- another time of imagining how much greater
Heaven is going to be than the earth. The choir probably had near to 100 people
this morning. And by golly, if you are not moved by that signing, your heart
must be hardened! It again, was great. I thought to myself, “wow- I wish
everyone could hear and be apart of this.” And you know what? They can!
“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow- of
those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth- and every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 1:22
(Pic of the choir. Can you spot my sister and grandma? Just kidding....)
This time when I left the service I was thinking about all
the people who don’t know Christ as Lord. They might view Christianity as
something distorted, something not useful, something undesirable. And I would
say that by the way Americans are displaying it- they have every right to think
that. Christianity is not about a “turn or burn” mentality. It is not about a
bunch of rules that keep you from “having fun.” It is about being reconciled to
our creator and finding an abundance of freedom in this life.
I am free from the burden of sin. I am free from all the
pressure I put on myself. I am free from the judgments I receive from others. I
am freed from the American Dream! I am free from every bad thought, and bad
action. Simply put- I am free.
This life of freedom does not mean a life without trials, a
life without decisions. It doesn’t mean I am going to wake up and be in the
perfect mood for the rest of my life. But it is a life with the promise that my
Savior is near, and that he hears every prayer I speak and think, and knows how
to meet me right where I am.
I thought for so many years that it was my responsibility to
chase after Jesus. Like he was off somewhere and I needed to do all these
things to get close to him. I needed to go to church, read my bible and pray.
And while all those things are important- they are not the only way to get to
know Jesus better. But here is
where I went wrong. I never let Jesus come after me. I was so busy “working”
for him that I didn’t let him speak to me. And so when I wanted him to speak to
me I often felt like he was hanging me out to dry- like I wasn’t good enough to
communicate with.
I am still figuring, out (and I would like to mention
failing,) at what a relationship with Jesus means. As a human, I have a
tendency to mess things up. I have a tendency to forget- sometimes
unintentionally and sometimes willingly, the great sacrifice of Jesus.
So people, there is no need to think you need to wait when
it comes to accepting Jesus as your Savior. If you want to wait until you are a
“better” person, you might as well never commit. If you are waiting until you
get that job, marry that person, or whatever it is- just stop. Would your life
get worse if you decide to trust in Jesus?
Take your judgments about Christianity and throw them out
the window. The love that Jesus has for you will blow your mind. He wants to
make you new. He wants to give you freedom. And that is why He died on the
cross friends.
For you.
Sincerely,
-Kelsey
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