Adopted to Forgive

I sat down on the couch this morning, thinking of the Good Friday service last night and of Jesus' sacrifice for me, and these words came to my pen (well, from fingertips to phone). I'd say it's fitting as I wrestle with how the empty cross and the empty grave that we celebrate tomorrow come to bear in my own struggles.


Somehow the ones most hard to deal with 
Are still ones for whom you gave Your life
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted
These are they for whom You died?
I too, have spat on You and traded
Precious love for almost anything
And still I find my heart too jaded
To surrender my hurt and crown You my King

Would it have been different if I had witnessed
The blood You shed poured out for me?
No, I too, am much like Judas
Who is offered the Truth and chooses deceit
How can I, now, look upon a sibling*
For whom You loved and gave Your Son?
And say, "I don't want the family I was given
I'd much rather live without what You have won."

I used to watch those slaves in Egypt
And think they'd never get over that they were free
But when they got into the desert
They forgot the LORD who promised to lead
Now, I too, find myself not really knowing 
How to live in the freedom that You gave
Egypt was the only life I've been used to
How does a free man not live as a slave?

How does a free man accept his freedom
Bought for him with the Life-filled blood?
Accept that fact that he's been forgiven
And extend that grace to his Father's sons?
How does a warrior accept this "peace" thing--
Embrace the family that he's been bought in?
How can he lay down his weapons
If he doesn't remember he's been adopted?


It is for freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1



*Brother/sister in Christ

Wounded Healer

My lips sing, “Jesus, there’s no one like you,”

But I don’t feel it in my heart

Right now, You feel far from me

And what I know I need is all that You are

How can I see Your sufficiency?

If there is something else in Your place on the throne?

And how can I live to praise You before I die

If the weeds You are killing are attached to my soul?

I have no choice but to sing in the fire

And though the song seem to labor every breath

The One I behold is worth every flaming trial

Because He has shown me Love with His own precious death

So let me sing as the flames rise higher

Let me not lose my strength as the Enemy’s arrows come

I know that my Father is not like the Liar

He’s keeping His promise to make me like His Son

Oh, let that be enough for me!

Even as the flames burn away the things I love

When all that’s left are burning coals

And the dross has flown to the dust

Will You make beauty from these ashes?

Will Your hands be enough to restore?

My life is lived in Your wounds, Your lashes

Heal me, also, Risen King, Reigning Lord

Triumphant

Though we mourn now and it looks like we're not strong
We're still running with the One whose been the Victor all along
He is carrying us because we can't see through these tears
So we'll still make it to the finish because He'll trample all our fears
What the Devil meant for evil, He meant it for good
That we might trust in Him who holds our heart
And know that He has fully understood.
To him is where I belong; this world has nothing I desire
So though I waste away, I will not be burned
Even though I walk through fire
Because He is with me and within me
I have this treasure, though I be a jar of clay
I may be crushed, but nothing can break me
Because He that is in me is stronger than anything I face!
It is only in that strength that I can look at you and say I'm strong
Because without Him, I'd be in the depths of the sea
But instead, I am kneeling at His throne
He invites me, "Come with boldness," and so I come
My hope is in Him and I see He's holding
The final victory over death He's already won
So where, oh Death, is your victory?
Where, oh grave, is your sting?
For a billion years ahead we'll see
That Jesus will be shown the Triumphant King.


*Inspired by: "Sweet Victory" by Trip Lee, and... 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
   he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
   and gently lead the mother sheep. 

Isaiah 40:11

Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. Genesis 50:20

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested^* as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

...but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

In whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. Ephesians 3:12

And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3

 ‘Where, O death, is your victory?
   Where, O death, is your sting?’ 1 Corinthians 15:55

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Revelation 21:5

Where You Find Me

Engage. Engage in this war, He says

Though it's anything but easy and it doesn't make sense

Though it's the last thing you want when you've seen so much mess

The war is where you find Me

Engage. The battle's not done, but I know the end

The war has been won, and you are the Victor's friend

The struggle will soon become where your joy extends

The struggle is where you find Me

Engage. Don't be paralyzed by how you're performing

As you follow Me, you'll see the crown I'm rewarding

Is not based on what you do but what's been done for you

Your weaknesses are where you find Me

Engage, knowing Mine is to lead and yours to surrender

You cannot fight with your King's army when your heart is with the captor

Surrender your desires that you may know the sufficiency of the Victor

And with empty, raised hands, you will find Me

Engage. Engage in this war, He says

The battle won't be easy and My strategy may not make sense

But if you trust the One who defeated death with death

The war is where you will find Me