Amen, amen, and amen. (for Grandpa Al)

I cried in church today. Not the first time - so it's not that big of deal, but I just want to document it because when I cry in church I know it's like a Holy Spirit-led cry. And I think it's important to document Holy Spirit-led things, so that we can go back and see that God really has been at work in our lives. Our sermon today was about "The Mystery of the Parade" the week before Jesus was crucified. Our pastor talked about the significance of Jesus riding in on a donkey, and the significance of people waving palm branches, shouting for Jesus to "Save us!" thinking He was going to be a war hero and conquer Rome. One of the visuals used in today's sermon was a big cardboard box. We talked about how often times we put God in a box - we think Jesus was a caucasian male who had perfect teach and a clean-cut beard. We think that if we have God, nothing in life will be difficult for us.

I didn't take notes today, so this is not an exact quote or paraphrase, but I do remember this little part in the sermon was what got the waterworks flowing. He read this list of difficult things that people have to deal with in today's world, and after each situation, he said something like, "Easter's coming." One of the examples he gave was "Physical therapy is not helping, Easter is coming." He actually said that!! It's like the Holy Spirit knew exactly what was on my heart, and had my pastor use that example, and then loudly and with much enthusiasm, my pastor says, "Easter's coming!" Which, in effect, means that the pain, strife, grief, disappointment, discouragement, and suffering we/I experience today is not all there is. Easter is coming. Victory is coming. Jesus rose from the grave. He conquered this world's pain. Which, in effect, means we who believe that truth will spend eternity without pain, strife, grief, disappointment, discouragement and suffering. Instead, we'll be living with our resurrected Lord. Didn't I just hear a sermon about that? :) Oh yeah - last night. Jeff Manion brought it. Hm.

And that's exactly why I am writing this post. Because clearly God is at work, and I don't want to forget it. Clearly God is using his people (Jeff Manion and my pastor in Cali) to teach me that the pain I am experiencing now (arthritis, hip pain, not being able to run, etc etc etc) will not last forever. And that I have something glorious to look forward to - eternity - perfect eternity.

Too much for a blog post? Meh- you can stop reading the blog if you think it's too much, maybe. But I have to document it all because on those days when I am crying because I cannot go for a run,or I woke up in the middle of the night in pain, or my hips hurt after a day of teaching - I need to be able to look back at this post and remember that God speaks - and that God is faithful - and that there is a day coming when everything will be different. That this pain isn't all there is. Easter is coming. Amen, amen, and amen (for Grandpa Al - who had the joy of the Lord till the day he went to be with his Lord)