Greetings in the name of the One who releases a freshness into our day…”like the fragrance after the rain”, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! I trust that you had a grand Easter weekend and that the presence of the living God fell afresh on you and your family. There is so much to see and experience as we journey through the Easter season – I will be praying for you today, asking Father to show you evidences of Easter’s reality in brand new ways.
This morning I have been reading the story from John 20:19-31 where the disciples are locked in a quiet room away from the scrutiny of the crowds. I was thinking of how that must have felt – a little confining, to be in a room full of so much confusion and questions and misunderstandings and bruised emotions and fear. As I pondered this on my way to the office, I noticed the garbage truck creeping along fulfilling its mission. I thought to myself that the disciples needed to take out the ‘garbage’ that was ion the room to make room for the presence of Jesus.
Of course, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how important it is to keep my ‘inner room’ free of life’s garbage. I am amazed at how much ‘garbage’ people, me included carry around – old memories of unhelpful conversations, disappointments, betrayal, broken dreams, and….well you know the garbage I am talking about. I understand how important it is to take frequent trips to the throne of grace to seek God’s strength to forgive and forget and to grow. The beauty of this story for the disciples and for us is that God can turn life around in a moment. He can assist us in taking out our garbage to create a space for new life.
This I find to be true, as we follow Jesus, his presence grows larger in our lives. As He grows larger, our old selves with all of the garbage grows smaller…getting rid of the old gives a lot more room for the new life in Christ. This morning I am looking at John’s admonition: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 NIV.
Have a great day – enjoy the blessings!