Good Friday

Well. 

 I had different plans for this week. 

 For this beautiful 80 degree weather... these days before a big beautiful Baptism of our children and a nice Easter Celebration with everyone we love. But with Lucy and now Jude running a constant fever – the plans for the week changed... and the weekend is looking a little bleak. I woke up this morning after another short up-and-down night of sleep and my devotional read, “Jesus, you are doing it all wrong.” I laughed. Because it just seems so stupid when you say it like that. But my moments of worry, frustration and confusion over little things like a worrisome long-lasting flu virus and changes in plans are nothing less than a rejection of how God is choosing to work in our daily lives. Like a senseless child banging on pots and pans - I take issue with His masterful orchestration of symphony of the universe.

But how it must have felt for the disciples that day – to look upon the One they followed as King – the One they expected to right all wrong – to overcome all injustice and evil. To hear Him say, “It is finished” and give up His last breath. This was not their plan and they saw no beauty here – only death and hopelessness. Hopelessness caused by the One they had placed all of their hopes in. And their thoughts as they looked on in disbelief... perhaps only fuzzily formed like my own, surely must have encompassed:

“Jesus, this is not a good plan.”

“Jesus, this is not how it is supposed to go down.”

“REALLY?..... REALLY?”

“So... this was all a WASTE?”

“Now what?”

“Jesus, you are doing it all wrong.”

“This... this is a VERY BAD Friday.”

And so today, as I sit with my measly little problem – sure to be resolved by Monday... I think of all those I love who sit at the foot of the cross each day. Those who have lost loved ones, suffer painful broken relationships, lost jobs, dashed dreams, chronic illnesses, ministries short on finances or careers short on purpose: my friends who have reason to believe that Jesus is doing it all wrong. And I want to say: this is not the first time it has looked that way. Not the first time it has looked that way to those who love Him dearly and follow Him faithfully.

But if Easter is true... if Sunday has come and the Resurrection is sure – then all the World is to be righted through darkest day, and the light of hope is only possible on the other side of Jesus' “worst idea.” As my friend said the other night, “Well, WHATEVER else does or doesn't happen... there was still that ONE Miracle.” That's the point of Easter. Because of Easter we believe any miracle is possible. But because of Easter we believe no more our necessary. If we believe there was ONE Good Friday – we believe that ALL days are Good in Him. However "all wrong" it looks.

Blessed Good Friday

I am praying for you

Philippians 4:7-11

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.