The End of One Season…
Happy Good Friday!
Today marks the day that Jesus died on the cross. A day where things began to change drastically. On Sunday, we’ll celebrate the day where everything changed. I’m humbled today when I think of the sacrifice that Jesus made. And I’m hopeful because he showed that love wins. Always.
The series of posts on my journey through this season of Lent came to a close with Wednesday’s post.
If you’d like to read all of the posts, they are linked below. Thanks so much for engaging in the conversation. I’ve tried to capture where my heart has been throughout this particular season of restoration and I hope it has encouraged and challenged you. Otherwise, I’m just rambling.
May the God of the impossible be with you in the midst of what may feel to you like the impossibles of life. He’s in the business of redemption, and you and I are a part of that, both in our own stories of restoration and in him using us to be a part of that restoration in others. He’s so good…
Lent: 2010
- Here’s to Death: Lent (part one)
- Here’s to Death: Lent (part two)
- Take Time to Stop: Lent (part three)
- Gaining Wisdom: Lent (part four)
- A Break in the Clouds: Lent (part five)
- Be Thawed & Rejoice: Lent (part six)
- Sometimes I Don’t Feel Him: Lent (part seven)
- A Prayer: Lent (part eight)
- I’m A Restoration Project: Lent (part nine)
I’m A Restoration Project: Lent (part nine)
I love old cars.
The lines, the power, the heritage- all things I love about vintage automobiles. You will often find me glued to the couch on Saturdays watching collector car auctions on television, where my excitement level increases with each bid.
I especially love the stories of cars that sat in barns for decades, only to be meticulously restored to better-than-original condition. Sure, there’s the same model car that has rarely been driven, with only 18,000 miles or something. One can appreciate the fact that someone knew that the car may have been worth something one day. But, I would argue that the car was barely driven, and it spent a lifetime just sitting still. And besides…
Restoration stories are so much better.
It’s not just the end result of the better-than-new car that appeals, it’s the story of how it got to that point. Often times the person who restored the car will share on how, when the car was stripped down to the bare metal, major issues reared their ugly heads. Multiple layers of paint and body filler do a pretty good job of creating something pleasant to look at on the outside, only to be decaying from within. When those layers are peeled back, the truth of what needs restoration is revealed.
At this point of the post, insert my (and your) life here.
This season of participating in Christ’s death have peeled ripped back many layers in my life. Complacency and sitting still has caused the tires to rot and the battery to die. Being exposed to the elements have brought about a thick, rusty layer of pride, degrading and decaying anything in its path. The discovery (on this sort of level this season) has proven to be far from a gentle process. I’m not sure why I was expecting anything different. All I need to do is look at Christ. Look what they did to him. Why would I expect anything easy? Remember, there’s no story of redemption without depravity. If we have nothing to be restored to, why do you and I need restoration?
So restore away, God. I don’t want to just sit. Maybe that would mean less risk, but it would certainly mean less living. Besides…
I can’t wait to tell others the story.
Every detail. No omissions.
image: sam
A Monday-type of Question for You…
Last week was a tough week, folks. Seeing that it’s Monday, I wanted to start the week off a little lighter.
Plus, I’d just love to hear your answers.
So, here goes…
If you could possess any superhero trait, what would it be?
My choice would be to have irrefutable charm, with invisibility coming in second place.
How about you?
Fire away.
