Do You Have Room to Receive His Gift?

Originally posted on April 22, 2011

As we near Easter Sunday and the celebration of Christ’s victory over the grave… I encourage you this Easter weekend to let go and make room. What I mean is… it’s too easy to be wrapped up in whatever your dealing with or facing right now and miss the awesomeness of Easter! The peace and the joy I have from knowing that this life and this world is not my home and the way I’m absolutely overwhelmed when I think of His love and His sacrifice for me! So I’m challenging you to drop the burdens, the hurt, the struggles, the worries, the anger, the unforgiveness, the shame etc… whatever you’re struggling with. When you do this — your arms will be empty and open with room to receive this ULTIMATE and precious gift! More importantly, not only will your arms be opened but your hear will be open as well.

Ten years ago — I remember sitting through Easter and thinking to myself, “If He can raise from the dead, why couldn’t He have stopped this, why did He let my husband leave me?” I was so wrapped up in me I wasn’t even able to fully appreciate the awesomeness of what He DID for me!

Today is Good Friday and of course I know there is celebration to come and I already know the happy ending but still…my stomach is upset when I imagine the torture and the pain HE endured on my behalf! In fact, sometimes I wonder how I have the nerve to ask anything more of Him who has already done immeasurably more than I deserve.  Anyway — today I challenge you to send your burdens to the grave with Him. There is no need to carry that heavy load any longer. 

I have a mental image to share, it’s been on my mind lately…It’s one of me walking all alone dragging my heavy bag of “stuff” behind me. The longer I walk and drag, the more holes form in the bag and the more “stuff” falls out. I stop and pick it up, put it all back in one of the holes and go again. Until finally…there is no way to carry the bag but to wad it all up in my arms and carry it like a load of laundry for the holes are too many. Of course after a while my arms are burning, my back is sore, I’m crying and frustrated but I walk on, with my arms full passing right by Jesus with His arms open, offering and longing to take my load from me. I’m so busy being focused on all that I’m stuck with and all that I’m struggling with that I don’t even notice what’s there all along.

God sent us an answer, he gave us his Son, someone to carry our load and save us from ourselves…yet too often we can’t see past or outside of ourselves and our “stuff” to accept His loving gift.

Let your burdens and your worries be crucified and buried this weekend. And know without a doubt that the God who raised Jesus from the dead can see you through anything your facing. There is nothing too great for him. Receive the gift with arms wide open and be freed this Easter weekend.

* The ending to my little vision makes me chuckle a bit…I can imagine the Soldiers waking and noticing seal of the tomb has been broken and full of fear they creep into the tomb to find not Jesus…but the burial clothes laying on the ground…along with my nasty holey bag of “stuff”!

I’ll leave you with the lyrics to “Worthy Is The Lamb” . No matter how many times I hear it — it makes my eyes fill with tears…
Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price you paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In Love you came, and gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Wash me in your cleansing flow
Now all I know, your forgiveness and embrace

Worth is the lamb, seated on the throne
We crown you now with many crowns, you reign victorious
High and lifted up, Jesus son of God
The darling of heaven crucified… worth is the lamb!

A video combining this song with clips from The Passion of the Christ movie…

WARNING: These images are graphic.

Blessings this Easter!
~Lenay

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