Why is Friday Good?

Why is Friday Good?

In the Gospel accounts of the first Good Friday, I’m drawn to the parts about Peter. Maybe it’s because I’ve long identified with him on some level, and I’m sobered by his betrayal of the man who’d changed the trajectory of his life.  It seems shockingly out of character, and I find it uncomfortable to absorb. 

Because Peter wasn’t passive or afraid or a curious bystander when it came to Christ. Quicker than most, he recognized Jesus as the Son of the living God and lived like it mattered. You don’t ask Jesus to call you out of safety into deep, turbulent waters unless you fully believe he can save you when he does.  And Peter did.

But this particular day…  

Jesus is breaking bread and pouring wine.  Revealing truth a bit confounding, he shares with his closest companions the time has come for him to be struck, and them to be scattered.  Fittingly, Peter insists he won’t scatter, even if all else do.

And so emerges a glimpse into his now epic denial: reliance on self. 

Jesus, heart heavy, asks his friends to pray with him.  Peter, long on zeal but short on follow through, fell asleep.  

Three times. 

Alone in his pain, Jesus consoles. “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  The master teacher gives Peter the secret to remaining resolute; it’s spirit, not strength; Me, not you.  

…

Later that evening, while waiting outside the court where Jesus was taken after his arrest, Peter warms himself by the fire.  Those huddled alongside him begin to talk.  A keen-eyed teenaged girl finally asks,

“Aren’t you a disciple of that man?” 

Pulling his cloak a bit tighter Peter replies, ’No’.  

“Surely you are?”  

“I tell you, I am not.”  

“But that accent...” 

“I swear on my life, child!  I don’t know the man. Now leave me alone.”  

Three times.  

Rooster crows, Jesus sees, Peter weeps.  

This was his good Friday.

…

Sometime after that, a resurrected Jesus finds Peter early one morning back where their journey began - in a boat, fishing.  Preparing breakfast together around a fire, I wonder if memories resurfaced of the first time they met, or if distance from their darkest hour permeated all? I wonder if Peter’s heart leapt the same as before, or if it beat more knowingly, when Jesus bid him come?

“Peter, do you love me?” Jesus seeks to bridge what fear has torn apart… 

Stoking fire, appearing useful, Peter answers, “Yes, Lord, you know I do.”  

“Peter. Do you love me?” he continues probing at the pangs of buried ache…

Staring hard at burning ember, feeling weight so hard to bear, “Yes, you know I do.” 

“Peter, do you love me?” as his wounded hand extends, easing burden, shielding shame…

Peter lifts his head to look upon his Savior, resting full assured “Lord, you know all things, you know I do.”

Three times, a broken man reclaimed. 

Each time, redemption for the lost and for the ones who’ve lost their way.

This is why Good Friday’s good.

~ elizabeth dougan

Selective Passion

I have no problem sharing something if I’m passionate about it!  I was reminded of this today as I stood at the service desk at Walmart returning a dozen boxes of votive candles that I had purchased for our recent IF Gathering.  As the woman was checking the receipts and returning the candles I was going on and on about how much I loved these candles, how long they burn and what a great deal they are compared to other candles that are similar.

  I told her that if she ever has a need for this type of candle that they are the best and to remember that!   She probably could have cared less about the dumb candles that I had piled upon her countertop, but because I am passionate about how well these little guys have served me in the past, I couldn’t help myself, really.  I was truly hoping that someday this information would prove useful to her.

If only I could have that same enthusiasm when sharing my faith.  If I could so easily go on and on, unsolicited, about how much I love Jesus, truly hoping that someday the information would prove useful.

Why do I care so much to tell that woman how wonderful the candles are and I don’t care enough to share how awesome the Light of World is?  It caused me no fear to offer that information but I would have had a small panic attack if I had chosen to tell her about God’s love for her, right then and there.

There is something to be said for developing relationships in which you have a natural opportunity to share your faith.  But there is also something to be said for seizing a moment that may never come again.  My problem is, I always default to the long term relationship scenario and never step out into the scary, share my love for Jesus because I just can’t help myself scenario. 

Whether I would like to admit it or not, I reserve that kind of sharing for street preachers, pastors or those lucky people who are just naturally bold and evangelistic by nature.  It’s not how I roll.  Unless of course, I am sharing about an amazing candle, then look out! 

This should not be so.

These said candles were burning on each table at the IF Gathering as I sat in the dimly lit room feeling ashamed at how feeble my attempts to reach the lost really are.  The speaker on the big screen was pleading with us to not keep the wonderful news of our Savior to ourselves.  He begged us to remember what is at stake.   He reminded us that it doesn’t need to begin with a big initiative or the writing of a book.  It starts with one life at a time.  Just make ONE disciple.

 

God didn’t say, ”Hey, if you get around to it and it doesn’t feel too awkward, go ahead and mention Me, but if not, no worries, just be nice and neighborly  and maybe that will rub off enough to lead them to Me.”  He actually commands us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15 

Do I want to keep allowing my fear of what someone might think, fear of overstepping my boundaries or fear of rejection to stand in the way of someone’s eternal salvation?  Do I want to keep my faith small instead of allowing it to grow each time I trust God and His plan?  I’m realizing that I have made it all about me.  I’m thinking it’s time to make it about others.

If you, like me, have had these struggles and fears, would you be willing to join me in stepping outside of your safe scenario and into a place of obedience and true love?

I will never know if that woman will someday need those candles for an event and be glad that I shared with her, but I do know that sharing the gospel is the most important thing I could ever tell someone and that I could put my passion to better use!

 

 

Debbie K.

 

Armor Wearing and Battle Victories

Several weeks ago, I had a DAY.  You know the kind of day I’m talking about…I woke up tired, with zero motivation for my to-do list, the sink was full of last night’s dishes (not to mention the sink needed a good scrubbing), my lips were chapped, I could not find a pen that worked, we were almost out of diapers, I was not exited about my lunch, things fell out of both the closet and the cabinet when I opened them, my pants felt too tight, I seemed to hit every stop light, I had zero energy and my head was flooded with negative thoughts about myself. I struggled with comparison all day long and felt overwhelmed with despair by the state of our nation and world in general.  Yep, it was one of those days.

I know I'm not alone when days like these rear their ugly head.  We all go under water from time to time thanks to circumstances that push us to our limits.  It would be nice if we could just crawl back into bed and start days like these over, but sadly, its not that easy.  

Priscilla shared with us last week in our Women Unplugged study that when we are feeling low on that God-given inner peace we all long for - the kind that rises above our crazy circumstances and to-do lists - it is really because we are low on thanksgiving.  And we run low on thanksgiving because really, we are low on trust in the One who is Lord over everything in our life. (Even those piles of laundry and dirty dishes!) To put that equation into practice, the reality is, on days like these, when it feels the hardest, we are supposed to say 'thank you' the loudest. 

I truly desire to live a life anchored in gratitude. I do.  For me, gratitude is an easy practice when things are running smoothly and feel good.  But I am learning that the discipline of finding things to be thankful for when tears of frustration are brimming and I have reached my maximum capacity for the day at 10:30am...is when the rubber meets the road and our Almighty God meets me, and offers his Peace grace by grace. 

I’ve been especially thankful for the hope and peace that seep in from the renewing of my mind in Christ Jesus. (Romans 12:2)  I know when I’m neck deep in one of those seemingly impossible days or seasons, I always try and cling tightly to the hope that change is possible and that things can be different.  Activating my God-given Armor starts with me and the attitude of my heart.  I so easily forget that in the heat of battle.

Peace that transcends those challenging days is as far away as my heartfelt offerings of thanksgiving and trust. So much of life I have no control over, but I do have control over that.  So today, I am putting my stake in the ground here...at the beginning of this beautiful month and the start of a beautiful new season.  I'm claiming all of these days forward for:  gratitude and trust, for believing God for the renewing of my mind, for celebrating new beginnings and fresh starts, for peace, for presence in the battle, for intentionality and practiced discipline. But most of all, I'm claiming these days forward for Armor wearing and battle victories.

- Sarah L.