Wisdom for Wednesdays

'Cause this is not about what you've done.
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to.

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made.
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes.
You are more than the problems you create.
You've been remade.

-"Remade," by Tenth Avenue North

Happy Easter

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised."

-Psalm 113:3

The Son is risen!

Happy Easter, dear friends! Rejoicing with you on this beautiful day and praying you are blessed by our wonderful, victorious Savior.

Jesus' Followers

The twelve Apostles of Jesus fascinate me.

They’re so real. So human. And so inspiring.

I love that they are not portrayed as perfect in the Bible. Instead, we’re given glimpses of their moments of confusion, doubt, fear, and pride.

Yet time and time again, they rise above their human tendencies and show extraordinary faith and courage.

Despite their weakness and sin, they kept following Him.

It’s especially incredible when we remember that they didn’t see the whole picture as we do—this story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

The Apostles didn’t see it all—but they lived it. One moment at a time. Never knowing what was coming next.

Despite the uncertainty in their lives, they kept following Him.

They spent three years of their lives at the side of this amazing man with life-changing teachings, watched him perform countless miracles…

Only to then watch him suffer excruciating pain--seemingly helpless and powerless on the cross.

Despite their fear and though they followed from only a distance, still they kept following Him.

On this Holy Saturday, this waiting time between Jesus’ death and His rising, I think about the Apostles and their consistency in following Jesus despite the difficulties. How did they do it? How did they overcome their fear, doubt, and uncertainty? How did they continue to follow despite never-ending obstacles in the path?

By trusting Jesus.

They couldn’t trust in a specific outcome, for who knew what would happen next? There were no guarantees.

But they could trust in who Jesus was, and that He was in control no matter what events occurred. They knew His character. They had spent these years with Him experiencing His love, power, and compassion. They didn’t have to understand all that was going on. They didn’t have to know it would all turn out okay. They could continue to hope and keep following because they knew and trusted their Jesus.

What an awesome example.

I love the Apostles.

Hungry

It's Good Friday. A day of fasting for Catholics around the world.

So I'm hungry.

But it's a good thing. Because it reminds me...

-to be in solidarity with the poor who are hungry every single day.

-just how much time and effort I put into meals and snacks each day; that even food can become an idol.

-that I need to "eat to live, not live to eat." (You know who you are that reminds me of this!)

-not to place so much value on things of this world; to instead seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

-that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). Fasting purifies us and strengthens us, especially against the Evil One (Mark 9:29).

-to be more aware of my daily habits and the way I spend my time.

-to deny myself and take up my cross as Jesus commanded (Luke 9:23).

-to fill myself with the Bread of Life and be truly satisfied (John 6:35).

Thank you, Lord, for the lessons you show us in fasting.

Before the Resurrection

I passed by a sign outside a church today that read, “Come, celebrate the Risen Lord with us on Sunday.”

That’s wonderful--we should indeed celebrate the glorious rising of our powerful, loving God.

However, it did make me go on to ponder that as beautiful as it is to celebrate the Resurrection, there’s something lacking if we fail to include what happened before the Resurrection.

When that same all-powerful God sweat drops of blood in the garden of Gethsamane the night before He died—His trusted followers sleeping through His agony. When He was beaten and scourged simply to please the people. When He walked a long, bloody path burdened with a rough cross and the weight of our sins. When he hung from a cross, with torn and bruised flesh, nails in the hands that healed so many, sharp thorns stabbing His head. In short, when He was “pierced for our offenses and crushed for our sins” (Isaiah 53:5).

It’s messy and heartwrenching and disturbing to see Jesus like this—“one of those from whom men hide their faces” (Isaiah 53:3).

But it’s true. And He endured it all for us.

I think that remembering and reflecting on those events give us a deeper appreciation of His Resurrection.

It’s so connected. You can’t have one without the other.

Just like you can’t have a sunrise without first having darkness.

Or healing without a wound.

A rainbow without rain.

Spring without winter.

Rejoicing in Jesus’ victory over sin and death (as well as any victories in our own lives) is sweeter and deeper when we remember the pain and suffering endured before it.

Let’s go with the women to the tomb on Sunday and celebrate our Risen Lord with joy and awe. But in the days before, let’s walk with Him on the journey to Calvary. Let’s stand at the foot of the cross, look up at this bleeding, suffering Savior, and see in His eyes a personal, unfathomable, endless love.

Wisdom for Wednesdays

"Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and everyday. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings."

-St. Francis de Sales

Beginning Holy Week

I’m so grateful that when I just don’t get it sometimes, God sends someone who does.

I glared studied the calendar for this week, pen in hand. Something written on each of the days.

My brother had recently shared with me some wisdom from his priest at college—make Holy Week a retreat. Put aside your usual activities and immerse yourself in the beauty and meaning of these days of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

I loved this advice.

So why was my calendar looking rather full for the week?

My roommate Andrea came up behind me and teased me about my solemn stare-down with the calendar. I complained explained my dilemma and frustration that I wouldn’t have as much free time as I wanted to focus on Jesus and His journey.

And then she smiled and calmly blew me away.

Be like Jesus, she told me. Give of yourself to the people you’ll encounter this week in the same way He gave His all for us in His sacrifice on the cross.

So simple. So practical. So profound.

Then she turned back to making breakfast.

For herself, of course. I already had some humble pie that needed to be eaten.