Did Jesus really mean what he said? Does he expect us to really take the baton and run the race in his footsteps? If we are vessels through which God tells God's story of love, grace, reconciliation, and unity, how brightly is the light of Christ shining through our thoughts, our attitudes, our words and our actions?
Over the next several weeks, we will be exploring the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. What Jesus taught often runs counter to the voices around us, to the story that the world tells us is true. But every lesson is abundant with wisdom and practical instruction; “Be-Attitudes” that Jesus wants to use to shape us, to Flip the Script on our lives and show us what true happiness looks like.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
When life brings too many unknowns, we wish for the life we had before, for the familiar. We thrive in the ordinary. Day in and day out, God is present – continuously providing, sustaining, and re-creating. This series is not a call to muster up some new and ridiculous faith from your own strength. It's a reminder to maintain confidence in the extraordinary God found in the blessings of ordinary living. "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!” - Genesis 28:16
God’s word, through the mouthpiece of the Prophet Micah states, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Jesus extended an invitation to follow to every single kind of person imaginable — rich people, poor people, people who were spiritual, people who weren’t spiritual. He didn’t place a bunch of conditions on His offer. He just invited them to follow. That same invitation is offered to each one of us every day. The question we have to answer is simple, will we follow Jesus or choose to follow something or someone else?
It can be difficult to live like Jesus when we are burning with frustration and overwhelmed with anxiety, grief or fear. Do you ever succumb to going back to living as you did before your life was transformed by the life-altering power of the resurrection?
Holy Week looks and feels different than in years past. You are invited to find the Holy in 'different.' Allow different to draw you toward a deeper meaning in remembering the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.