The Christ Who IS

“I am He that lives, and was dead; behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of death and hell.” Revelation 1:18

 

Today is Good Friday.

 

On this day over 2,000 years ago the long awaited Messiah, the One who was supposed to bring salvation and set His people free, was laying lifeless in a tomb after being brutally murdered . People who knew the Scriptures knew He came to save them but they didn’t know He would die to do it and when Jesus drew His last breath and surrendered Himself over to death, the hope of the world died, too. On this day the sun was darkened and all of creation felt the impact of the greatest loss the world has ever known.

 

A Problem & A Promise

I’ve learned something over the last couple years.

Well, if you want to get technical, I’ve learned a whole lot of somethings! Enough to turn this 31 (31? yeah, that’s right – had to think about it for a second!) year old on her head and make her go back to re-evaluate everything she’d been taught about what life in Christ should be. But since I hope you stick around until the end of this, I’m just focusing on this one thing for now. Like most things I’ve learned, I am not awesome at doing it yet but I am practicing and seeing more and more just how true it is.

We can focus on the problem or we can focus on the Promise.

It seems so simple, right? But it’s so profound.

What we focus on is what we will see manifest in our lives.

Focus on the problem breeds fear, anger, anxiety, helplessness, bitterness, and many times, ultimately leads to death.

But for every problem there is a bigger Promise – not a denial of reality, but a greater truth that trumps reality – and focus on the Promise leads to peace, joy, clarity, purpose, and an abundance of life.

Is It Okay to Get Angry?

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

I realize that everything I’ve written in this section of the blog so far is about taking action – this is just where I am right now! I decided at the beginning to write as I feel led and not try to get all my ducks in a row (or all my posts in order) before ever starting. There is plenty to be said about grace and resting in the finished work of Christ. His sacrifice and all the benefits it provided are a gift that can’t be earned! But I guess I am learning right now how to take action and that’s coming out in what I feel impressed to write lately.