Sin
It is weird how so often I feel like I am missing it. like i have veered off the road and I can't find my way back. The effects of sin are very heavy. And on Maundy Thursday, it feels particularly heavy. And the promise of God's light and easy burden seems to go unanswered. How on earth am I to believe that this is a light and easy burden. That is a weird verse when you think about it. Take my yoke upon you. Just the word yoke is synonyms with a burden.
Burden
Just being alive is a burden. The mistakes we make in life are so troubling. Shame and guilt weigh us down. Even if we aren't the one struggling, walking along side people who are hurt and lonely and discouraged gets overwhelming at times. It starts to feel like one is drowning in sorrow and misery. And as the saying goes, hurt people hurt people! And the cycle continues.
I need to read my Bible more. Surely there must be answers that I have not yet found for why there is so much suffering in the world. Why does it have to be like this?
Miracles
Oh, but the miracles. There are so many miracles. Where would one begin to list the miracles? This last week I have thought a lot about the miracles God has done in my life. He has protected me even when my own bad decisions put me in harms way. He has given me courage to fight when running seemed like a better option. He has allowed me to have so many moments in my life that were just crazy cool. I am so thankful that God has worked in me, and through me to bring hope and healing to broken lives.
Community
We have people with big hearts who love our faith community. People willing to put their time and effort into making the EDGE a place of grace and truth.
We have greeters and kitchen workers. We have teachers that come every week and care for our kids. It is fun. Our church is full of life.
And the people - the caliber of leaders we have. Men and women who have my back, and pray for me. And I pray for them. Such great sacrificial leadership. Courageous and honorable.
Space
The building we get to be in. It has heat, and lights, and desks, and bookshelves and meeting rooms...and a kitchen.
Even though the money is a bit of an issue right now and that makes it hard. People are doing the best they can, even if it means doing more with less.
Success
I want to give the gift of success to my church. I want them to taste what its like to work really hard at something, and to see it happen.
The victory is going to be so sweet. The championship is just around the corner. The crown of righteousness. This will be the reward for us if we do not give up.
Some of us are close to giving up. I can not say that I blame them. It is not easy. But I do hope they will stay just a while longer so they can see the great harvest that is coming.
Legacy
My friend, Pastor John Fuller baptized 45 people last weekend at his church in Cedar Falls, IA. 45 people. Can you imagine. The line of people waiting for their turn to get into the water and to show by their actions the inner reality that has taken place in their life. I wish I could have seen it.
I know that the same God that moved in their lives is moving at the EDGE. God is providing for us every week in miraculous ways. Years from now, I wonder what stories will be told of the EDGE. Will people think of these days as the gold era. Will they tell their grandkids, "If only you could have seen us making those pancakes for over 200 neighbors that day. If only you could have seen us as we cleaned off tables so others could sit down. Oh and our Egg hunt. You should have seen us hiding 1,000 eggs. Each kid went home with a basket full. That was a good Easter."
I hope people come this Sunday. Its gonna be good. We are going to have a party. Jesus rose from the dead. The grave is EMPTY.
Posted via email from Mark's posterous
