Together we can see what we will find
Don't leave me alone at this time
For I am afraid of what I will discover inside
Roll away your stone reminds me of the resurrection. Of coming to the tomb and finding it empty. Of Jesus and life and conquering death. It reminds me of His promises, of the way He loves. It reminds me of a new start, of new life. Beginning anew in Christ is challenging. You've said goodbye to old ways, actions, attitudes and for me, it felt like a complete revamping of the way I lived. Nothing was safe from Christ's redemption. It's scary to find your junk, your sin, and have Christ wash it clean. It reminds me of the Narnian story of Eustace who can only shed his dragon scales with the help of Aslan. And I think of one of my favorite quotes from A.W. Tozer - "The Cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective. It does not keep its victim hanging there forever. There comes a moment when its work is finished and the suffering victim dies. After that is RESURRECTION glory and power, and the pain is forgotten for joy that the veil is taken away and we have entered in actual spiritual experience the Presence of the living God."
What is often true is that life gets harder as we choose a new and different way, as we choose the cross and the empty tomb. The power of community rings so true here. There is much power in the way we are loved and cared for as we venture forward while clinging to Jesus.
You told me that I would find a home
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal
And all the while my character it steals
This reminds me of lies of the world. We cling to things of this world, things unreal. We have voids inside and we fill them with the worldly passions, pleasures, attempts at happiness. We turn away from Jesus and we choose the flesh. Our sin steals our character.But then - the beautiful, good good news of Jesus Christ. He's chosen us, loved us, given us life, saved us, and we are filled with His Spirit. That's what the mercy and grace and love of God has done for us. And we are powered by a deep, deep joy and a beautifully real love.
It seems that all my bridges have been burned
But you say, "That's exactly how this grace thing works"
It's not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start
What most stands out to me is the welcome at every start. It shouts grace in the process. At every new turn, new beginning, choice in each new moment, we are welcomed in by grace. That is the beauty of coming before the throne of grace with boldness and confidence and beginning anew in the truth of Jesus Christ. The process itself doesn't change our hearts, but by the grace of God.
And so I'll be found
With my stake stuck in the ground
Marking the territory of this newly impassioned soul
Amazing grace, how so sweet, sweet the sound. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Our newly impassioned souls are staked in Christ. We come to Christ in confession and repentance and our hearts are marked and restored by His love. When we've committed our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths to Christ, something is changed within us. Our desires are different, our dreams are different, our hopes are different, our thoughts are different, our priorities are different, our passions are different - we are new creations of Christ!
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