Treating the Lamb as the Scape Goat

What a glorious day today is! A day we can say, "Silly rabbit, Easter if for Jesus!" Hallelujah He is risen, YAHOO! Before I share with you how astounding Resurrection day is, I want to share with you what I spent time on yesterday morning which actually ties into this HOLYday.

So far in life we have witnessed far more seasons than the 4 we feel throughout the year. Whether it be joy, sadness, bitterness, content, faithfulness, etc, some of us right now are in a valley. It's as if a wave of emotion is crashing over you and taking you deeper and deeper. I don't know about you but when I am having one of those days or stuck in a dry valley, it seems like God talk becomes more evident. Like when people say, "God has a reason for the season," or even "I understand what you're going through." I think most of us can resonate with this. God talk becomes forced, seeming unauthentic. With that being said, there are people who try and find someone to blame. I can guarantee that we have all sinned this sin one point or another during our time on Earth.

It's easy to blame others for your pain. Just take a look in 1 Samuel 30:1-31, after David and his men returned from a 3-day long journey, they came home to their wives and children abused and killed. They were furious and somber which caused their actions to scream out. David was experiencing the same discomfort as the others, however he was the victim of blame. After much thought it became clear to me that we often blame God for everything that goes wrong in our life. For example, you didn't get your dream job, you didn't receive that scholarship you worked hard for, or nothing is simply going your way; we blame God. We cannot treat Jesus as the scape goat, when He is the lamb! God is not a God of sense, but a God of grace. Instead of blaming the Most Powerful Being or our peers, simply remember that God often transforms painful times into precious times. Your time of pain may involve blood, sweat, and many tears but when a victory is at the end of the tunnel it will give us strength and maturity all together. Beth Moore says is so beautifully, "What comes out of the battle is not nearly as important as who comes out of the battle." Next time you feel the urge to blame anyone but yourself, choose instead to acknowledge how you will be brought out of the valley. Through the chaos, focus on His Glory!

Now a day like today called Easter, millions of people attend church covered in pastel colors, pies are placed in the oven crisping up, families are around one table, and colorful eggs are being searched for to win a chocolate bunny. It is quite humorous how much the world likes to change the true meanings of Holidays. Today and everyday I want you to leave behind your mistakes and come to the altar as forgiveness is promised. The Lord takes 99 steps towards you and He only asks you to take 1 step... Use that 1 step to prevent yourself from blaming others, especially Him. We owe Him everything but do not give Him anything.

HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, the least He can do is rise you out of the valley!!! The dryness you are experiencing is not permanent, God is using this time as part of His divine plan. It's up to you if you want to continue following through with what He has planned for your life.

"The cross of Jesus is more than the wood He was nailed to 2,000 years ago and it is more than a symbol on churches and jewelry of what Jesus did for us. The cross we do carry with us must be a consciousness of the debt we owe God and the willingness to live or die for Him" (Morgan Eisenga).

I am grateful and He is gracious! Happy Day!

XO