Jesus on Saturday

I feel like it’s the least talked about day on Easter. Thursday was solemn. Friday was tough. Sunday was victorious.

But Saturday must have been the worst day in history. “They killed him”, “is he really coming back?”, “what if..”, “we are next”.

What a day of dispair. I don’t imagine any of the disciples excited or happy or comforted. I imagine them anxious. I can almost feel their silence. Too hard to speak, too quiet to work, too silent to hope, too dark to see.

Silence. That’s all they got.

Sometimes when we most need it, that’s all we get. Silence. Seems like maybe it was all in our heads. Maybe it was just a childish dream. Time to grow up. Time to settle. Time to become one more of the pack. Time to forget. Time to accept that our dreams and heart were all too much.

Sometimes when we go to God for comfort, all we see is silence. A silent God feels like a distant God.

But Jesus was busy. Man, that’s some good news. Of course I genuinely believe that the disciples and most of his followers couldn’t see it. Actually, none could.

We now know the story, but we still feel like it’s Saturday in ours. And if Sunday came, it will come for you too.

He’s the One who lives forever, the beginning and the end, the author and consumer of our faith, the Almighty blessed One, the powerful, He is peace, and He is here. We didn’t know the story but now we do.

He is not silent. He’s just working for you. And your Sunday shall come too. I believe it. Even when I don’t always behave like I do, because I need that reminder too:

Sunday is coming. He is here for you.

I want to be free - free to learn and make mistakes - and know that it's okay. To know that it's okay and to keep going anyways.

2/19/18 

Comparison is the enemy. It’s easy to focus on what other people are doing: how great their lives are, how much money or stuff they get, how successful they are, how loved they are, and how they seem to have their lives balanced and planned out. On the other hand, you have me. The one who is always late, the one who is far behind, the one who isn’t the best, the one who struggles, the one who feels stuck. Today, and everyday, it’s important to remember that your journey is different; you are not like everyone else. You have things about you that make you unique and special and beautiful. The best part is that it’s okay to not be like everyone else. God has this plan for each and every one of us, and He hasn’t excluded you from this promise. It may look different, but it doesn’t make your journey any less significant. You were created for a purpose and it’s YOURS. Own it.

2018 is about little victories. we’re not putting pressure on ourselves to become everything we’ve always wanted to be because nobody can do that in a year. instead we’re focusing on making forward strides and we’re celebrating every single win no matter how small.

In November I started reading the Bible from the beginning. Today, I finished it, and I cried.

I finally see what it was all about. This whole story is about a God that won’t give up. There are ups and there are seriously downs but he never leaves.

If He never left mankind from Genesis to Revelation, I know that means he won’t leave me where I am. He is ever constant. Through misunderstanding, frustration, fear, and tragedy, He does not run away.

When you look at the Bible as a whole, you see it. You see the heart of a Father that says in your beginning I’ll be here, and no matter how you end, here I’ll be.

He hasn’t given up on us yet, and He doesn’t intend to start with you.

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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” —Isaiah 43:2 ⠀ Though your heart may be tired and your spirit may be weak, don’t stop walking. Even though you pass through waters you do not know and even though there are far too many times when you feel as if your knees are going to give out beneath you, God is with you. ⠀ When you don’t feel like you are at your strongest and it seems as if you’re being attacked from many different angles, hold on to the beautiful truth that God is still breathing life into your body, in every moment. ⠀ When you know God is with you, there is no river you will cross and no fire you will walk through that will overcome you. ⠀ Put your hand over your heart and take a deep breath. Think about the way your heart beats and how it continues to beat, even when you’re tired. Even when you’re crying, and even when you feel completely numb to the world around you, God is keeping you breathing for a reason. Remember this as you tread through the waters today. God has yet to leave your side. ⠀ Written by @morganhnichols for #TheDevoCo

But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.

"Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan

As much as I love this verse, it's really hard to actually live it out. How can I not be selfish in this cold world and give way to people who don't deserve it? How can I try not to impress others when I really want them to like me? How can I be humble when I feel like I do deserve recognition and praise? How can I put others first when I feel like I always get the short end of the stick? How can I show love to others when I feel like I don't receive any of that love back? Then, I remember: love isn't love if you're expecting something in return. Love is sacrifice. That's the kind of love we as believers in Christ are called to live by- love that's not based by feelings but by CHOICE. That's the kind of love that Jesus displayed to us. I know I'll continue to struggle and I know that God will continue to work through me despite all of that. May I remember that when my mundane-self gets in the way of loving others that I am loved by someone who thought of me and my freedom first, even while dying on that cross. • • Follow my Instagram, @dalettering, for more calligraphy and future personal bible devotionals. 🌿

I feel like these past couple of months have been kicking me to the ground... and it's still going. Whenever I feel like there's a chance to finally relax, another kick comes my way and I'm back to where I was. Trying to find some sense into all of this, but even if I don't understand it, I'm clinging on to the fact that God is always with me... it may not always feel that way, but I'm glad that the God I serve is bigger than my feelings, my sins, my circumstances, or whatever it is I think that's stopping Him from loving me. Be still, oh my soul. 🌿 • • • Nonetheless, feel free to follow my lettering Instagram account @dalettering for more 🖊

Lettering with a sharpie pen is pretty dandy 🖊 If you’re interested in seeing more, follow my Instagram account @inkedwithgrace. 🌿 It would be much appreciated!

When I feel nothing but the emptiness,

I find comfort in the silence, for I know that He is next to me.

I find that I don’t need to explain, for He already knows.

I find that He loves me just the same, even when I’m not okay, for I am His.

Jesus.