Now the moment for you to wake from sleep

Paul’s letter to the Romans says, “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:11-14)

We have spread so many coats of whitewash over the historical Jesus that we scarcely see the glow of his presence anymore. Jesus is a man in a way that we have forgotten people can be: truthful, blunt, emotional, non-manipulative, sensitive, compassionate— so liberated that he did not feel it unmanly to cry, so secure he could engage anyone head on and deal with them right where they were. What we need is a present tense Resurrection where remembering changes us/me. The Holy Spirit is loose in the world and THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. So I leave you with a blessing to ponder:

“May all your expectations be frustrated, may all your plans be thwarted, may all your desires be withered into nothingness, that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing and dance in the love of God who is Father, Son, and Spirit. And today on planet Earth, may you experience the wonder and beauty of yourself as ABBA’s child and temple of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Finally, remember when your heart can cry another’s sadness, then your heart is full.

With you in the journey, Pastor Jeff