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Of Grief-Drops and Love-Debts

But Drops of Grief Can Ne’er Repay

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Drops of Grief

What breaks your heart?

Do you recall when you last uttered some version of those words? “That really breaks my heart.” Was it the plight of someone on the news. Or maybe the news of a dilemma of a dear friend. Whatever the case may be, you are familiar with that sentiment and that feeling I am sure.

What breaks God’s heart?

The plight our sin had left us in, and the dilemma that placed a holy yet merciful God. Having to sacrifice His only sin to deal with sin, knowing that many would spurn His offer of forgiveness, and even those who would receive it would too often live as though they had not. Shame on us.

That should prompt some grief. But so should the fact that the sacrifice was necessary at all.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV

When we look at the cross and realize it was necessary because of our sin, it causes grief. That grief is the result of the awareness of our Savior’s sacrifice to take the burden of sin. In this penitent season, look to the cross again, and feel that grief again.

Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to help you recall that first awareness of your need of a Savior when you were confronted with your sin. “Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.” As you recall that, and reflect on the sacrifice that set you free from the curse of it, prepare to respond.

Debt of Love

The Debt of Love I Owe

Whether we look upon the cross, the crown of thorns, or the story as found in the words of Scripture, our eyes should cloud with tears, and our hearts with love. We respond to love. We must respond with love.

The world looks at the cross and responds with disgust. After all, it was a hideous punishment device. Yet we look on the cross with love. They see a circular crown of thorns. We see a heart. They see a man crucified. We see our Savior sacrificed.

And we respond with wonder, awe, and love.

The debt of love I owe

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV

Our grief in the cross should not leave us wallowing in sadness, but responding with gratitude in the resurrection life of Christ. That gratitude is characterized by love for the One who laid down His life and took it up again so we too might live. Acknowledge your debt of love to Jesus.

Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.

RESONATE!
How will you respond to the cross this Easter season? Hopefully gratitude. “Jesus, thank You for Your love.” But it can not, it must not stop there. Respond with love. Love for your Savior, shown to the world.

Jesus, thank You for the cross and Your finished work there. I pray it prompts me to a response of love that never ends. IN this season as we approach Easter once again, overwhelm me with Your love for me and may it motivate me to love others. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Responsive Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 26.5 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.

Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.

Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.

Jesus, thank You for Your love.

Here is our response. We give ourselves away to God, to use our lives as extensions and expressions of the very love of Christ that has changed our eternities and is transforming our days. What will giving yourself away look like today? Ask the Father that question routinely.

Father, please show me how to give myself away today.

Giving ourselves away is the only right response to Christ doing that first. The hymn writer says it is all that we can do, so in a thousand ways this singular truth will be lived today. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy as you find your unique expressions of God’s love today.

Spirit, fill me with joy as I love.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time,
Be Resonant.

The post Of Grief-Drops and Love-Debts appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
But drops of grief can ne’er repay – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-crosses-tears-cry-emotion-5530220/
The debt of love I owe – https://pixabay.com/photos/love-died-cross-thorns-crown-699480/

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Evoking Godly Emotions

Dissolve My Heart in Thankfulness

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Dissolve

There is a lot of emotion in this stanza. The first part was focused on the blushing caused by the very appearance of the cross. This second part is no less dramatic.

The use of the word dissolve here first reveals the tone. This usage has to do with one thing subsiding uncontrollably into an emotion or feeling, in this case thankfulness. The writer is praying and asking God to cause his heart to subside uncontrollably into thankfulness, and all this at the very appearance or thought of the cross.

Has that ever been your experience? Have you ever looked at the cross, pondered our Savior’s sacrifice there, and found the very seat of your emotions sinking into a state of thankfulness? Not part of it, but all of it, until you were overcome with gratitude?

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 ESV

Seeing ourselves clearly against the backdrop of the cross can have the effect of dissolving our heart in thankfulness, but we must welcome that work. We should be thankful for the work of the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart overwhelmed with thankfulness.

From shame in the first part of this stanza to thankfulness in the latter, such is the journey of the honest soul as it acknowledges all the emotions the cross evokes. What a beautiful prayer to have our hearts dissolved in thankfulness! Are you willing to have your heart dissolved? If so, ask Jesus to do it.

RESONATE!
It really is a simple prayer, but one that must be prayed earnestly. “Jesus, dissolve my heart in thankfulness.”
If you are willing to ask, truly desiring that experience, be prepared for God to answer for there are few prayers God would like to answer more than to help your heart to sink into gratitude.

Melt

And Melt Mine Eyes with Tears

The use of the word dissolve above was not unlike the use of the word melt here, at least in some ways. The makeup of the object changes, from ingratitude to thankfulness, from something hard to something soft. But there is something in the words that is interesting.

It is the word to. The writer did not pray, “melt mine eyes with tears”, but “melt mine eyes to tears”. That is a very interesting choice.

With implies lots of tears flooding the eyes. To implies the eyes actually becoming tears, so complete is the anguish. The very nature of the eyes changes, so complete is the pain. Though I have cried tears at the thought of the cross, this seems more exhaustive, and I think I want it. How about you?

And melt mine eyes to tears

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…2 Corinthians 7:10a ESV

Though thankful we are also grieved when we see our need for the cross. We repent and turn from our lives of self and sin and surrender to the work of repentance. Repentance leads to salvation, and in salvation there is no regret. Ask Jesus to melt your eyes to tears of repentance.

From thankfulness to tears, maybe ones of godly repentance as much as it may still be needed, and maybe ones of utter joy at the incredible, undeserved gift of salvation. Have your eyes ever melted into tears at the thought of the cross? If not, ask the Spirit to do that today.

RESONATE!
Again, a simple prayer, but with profound implications.  Will you prayer, “Spirit, melt my eyes to tears”? Be ready for Him to answer.

Merciful Savior, thank You for Your work on the cross that creates a scenario where my heart can be filled with thankfulness and my eyes would melt to tears. I want to experience that kind of thoughtful emotion and the very appearance of the cross. Amen.

Emotional Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 26.4 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

Saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6 ESV

Though these are the words Ezra spoke when he heard the sins of the returned exiles recounted, they might just as well be ours when the cross forces us to confront our sin. We should be ashamed of the lives we lived apart from the cross. Confess your shame.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

While Calvary’s cross appears

And you…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13a-14 ESV

The cross makes a way for all the wrong things to be made right, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. We are ashamed that we are hopeless without Him, but it can lead us to the place of putting all our hope in the cross and Christ’s finished work there. Embrace the glory of the cross.

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 ESV

Seeing ourselves clearly against the backdrop of the cross can have the effect of dissolving our heart in thankfulness, but we must welcome that work. We should be thankful for the work of the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart overwhelmed with thankfulness.

And melt mine eyes to tears

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…2 Corinthians 7:10a ESV

Though thankful we are also grieved when we see our need for the cross. We repent and turn from our lives of self and sin and surrender to the work of repentance. Repentance leads to salvation, andin salvation there is no regret. Ask Jesus to melt your eyes to tears of repentance.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Evoking Godly Emotions appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Dissolve My Heart in Thankfulness – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-ice-cold-winter-christmas-549097/
And Melt Mine Eyes with Tears – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-tear-cry-sadness-pain-emotion-609987/

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Lift Your Eyes to See the Cross

Thus Might I Hide My Blushing Face

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Embarrassment or Shame

There is a huge difference between these two words which may not be apparent at first glance. When we think of how we feel when it comes to having our sin revealed the contrast becomes even more stark. Embarrassment seems to be more apt to describe getting caught for doing something you know you should not be doing. Shame may have some of that connotation buts adds true remorse for having engaged in the activity at all.

When you think of your need for the cross, which do you think better describes your feeling? Are you embarrassed that you need a Savior, or do you feel shame that your sins sent Him to the cross? Be honest with yourself and answer that.

For each of us there is probably a mingling of both of these feelings, and understandably so. They are akin to one another after all, but in order for us to appreciate the gravity of the cross we must move past the first and into the second. Which is it that primarily causes you to hide your face?

 

Thus might I hide my blushing face

 

Saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6 ESV

Though these are the words Ezra spoke when he heard the sins of the returned exiles recounted, they might just as well be ours when the cross forces us to confront our sin. We should be ashamed of the lives we lived apart from the cross, and maybe even in some measure the lives we live under it. Confess your shame.                   

When we see the cross and realize how needful it was because of our sin the reasonable response is to become red in the face with embarrassment and shame. But we need not hide our blushing face for it is a mark of the Spirit’s work in us helping us embrace those feelings and deal with them at the cross. Welcome the Spirit to do that work in you.

Spirit, help me embrace my shame.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

RESONATE!
As you confront your embarrassment and shame, allow the Spirit to come and help you. Denying them does not help and neither does wallowing in them. Acknowledge them and prepare for the other work the Spirit wants to do you in. Take a moment and do that right now.

In Light of the Cross

While Calvary’s Cross Appears

We deal with many emotions as we ponder the beauty of the cross. The important first step in doing so is being able to see the cross clearly. If we simply hide our face, burying it in our hands, we will fail to see the glory of this gruesome device that wrought such splendor in our souls.

When was the last time you really looked at the cross? Looked at in and thought about what it really represents to you? The value of such an exercise is not lost on us as Christians, evidenced by the fact that so many churches have an empty cross situated prominently in most of their worship spaces.

But what does that symbol mean to you? What do you see when you look at it? Consider the treasure of being able to see it clearly and what the Scripture says about what it means to us.

While Calvary’s cross appears

And you…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13a-14 ESV

The cross makes a way for all the wrong things to be made right, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. We are ashamed that we are hopeless without Him, but it can lead us to the place of putting all our hope in the cross and Christ’s finished work there. Embrace the glory of the cross.

It is the cross that causes us to blush. The cross was needful because we had no way back to God without it. When we understand this we are for the first time able to truly see the cross. Give thanks to God if you have seen the cross as your only path to redemption.

Father, thank You for helping me see the cross clearly.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to simply look at a cross, either the one above or any other. Ask the Spirit to help you see it clearly, for all that it represents to you. Then repeat that exercise every time you see it. It will help you cultivate gratitude more than embarrassment.

Jesus, thank You for the cross and Your finished work there. Teach me how to marvel at it, after I have wrestled with the feelings of embarrassment and shame it evokes. Then help me to be at peace with it, and because of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Humbled Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 26.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

When we see the cross and realize how needful it was because of our sin the reasonable response is to become red in the face with embarrassment or shame. But we need not hide our blushing face for it is a mark of the Spirit’s work in us helping us embrace our shame.

Spirit, help me embrace my shame.

It is the cross that causes us to blush. The cross was needful because we had no way back to God without it. When we understand this we are for the first time able to truly see the cross. Give thanks to God if you have seen the cross as your only path to redemption.

Father, thank You for helping me see the cross clearly.

From shame to thankfulness, such is the journey of the honest soul as it acknowledges all the emotions the cross evokes. What a beautiful prayer to have our hearts dissolved in thankfulness. Are you willing to have your heart dissolved? If so, ask Jesus to do it.

Jesus, dissolve my heart in thankfulness.

From thankfulness to tears, maybe ones of godly repentance as much as it may still be needed, and maybe ones of utter joy at the incredible, undeserved gift of salvation. Have your eyes ever melted into tears at the thought of the cross? If not, ask the Spirit to do that today.

Spirit, melt my eyes to tears.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Lift Your Eyes to See the Cross appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Thus Might I Hide My Blushing Face – https://pixabay.com/photos/burnout-man-face-head-portrait-268906/
While Calvary’s Cross Appears – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-gospel-bible-3279880/

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The Makers Man-Remaking Repurchase

When Christ the Mighty Maker Died

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

The Mighty Maker

It is hard for me to fathom that the One who made all things voluntarily offered His life so that He could remake all things.

Scripture clearly tells us that Christ made all things and in Him all things hold together. Jesus was there at the the beginning  and will be there at the end, Alpha and Omega. Because of the cross we get to join the song of joyful praise which began at the creation. As one hymn puts it, “Mortals join the happy chorus which the morning stars began.”

Christ brings us back into relationship with God. Brings us back to God, having been put to death, but made alive in the spirit. Because He suffered we do not have to any longer.

When Christ the mighty Maker died

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

Having initially made all things good, He suffered and died to remake everything good again. His work of creation flawed by our sin was set right in His work of re-creation and redemption. He was put to death in the flesh, to make us alive in the spirit. Hallelujah!

 

 

RESONATE!
Take a moment and think of your favorite part of creation. Praise God for revealing His glory to you in it. Then praise Him for revealing His glory in His redemptive work, even more miraculously that His creative work, when You get down to it. The revelation is possible because He died, paying the penalty for our sins. Thank Jesus for dying.

The Sinful Creature

For Man the Creatures Sin

He is the Creator, or Maker, and we are the pinnacle of creation, having been made in His image. The creature of creatures. But before we begin to think to highly of ourselves, remember that when given the opportunity the first of us blew paradise up by choosing their will over God’s. This is often the underlying issue with sin.

At that original sin but us, the creature, at odds with Christ, the Creator. What should have been Paradise became Paradise lost. Their sin separated them from God, and ours does the same. If it had been you or me in the garden we would have made the same mistake.

For man the creature’s sin

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 ESV

We fell short, so God had to intervene to lift us to His glory again. We sinned, so God had to do something about it, The cross changes our temporal direction as well as our eternal destiny. Christ models for us the self-denial that ushers God’s light into our lives. Will you embrace His path!

If the Spirit did not reveal to us the significance of Christ’s work in our redemption we would not believe it, would not even realize our need for a Savior. But thanks be to God, He has revealed it to us. Thank the Spirit for doing His work of revealing our sin and Christ’s salvation.

Spirit, thank You for revealing my sin and Christ’s salvation.

RESONATE!
How kind of God to reveal to us how much we need Him. The Holy Spirit does this work. Will you welcome that work, not only in salvation, but in sanctification as well?

Mighty Maker, thank You for making all things well. Righteous Redeemer, thank You for making all things well again. Keep me continually mindful of how grateful I should be for both of those incredible workings. Amen.

Awestruck Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 26.3 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Well might the sun in darkness hide

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45 ESV

As Jesus hung on the cross a darkness covered the whole land. Though we do not know exactly what the gospel writers mean by this, it seems more than just poetic. A heaviness undoubtedly permeated those three hours while Jesus suffered on the cross. Think about that.

And shut His glories in

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10 ESV

It was fitting that this darkness would be paralleled by that which Jesus was battling. He was about to experience separation from the Father as He became sin for us. The suffering of the One who made all things would bring many to glory. Thank Him if you are one of them.

When Christ the mighty Maker died

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

Having initially made all things good, He suffered and died to remake everything good again. His work of creation flawed by our sin was set right in His work of re-creation and redemption. He was put to death in the flesh, to make us alive in the spirit. Hallelujah! 

For man the creature’s sin

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 ESV

We fell short, so God had to intervene to lift us to His glory again. We sinned, so God had to do something about it, The cross changes our temporal direction as well as our eternal destiny. Christ models for us the self-denial that ushers God’s light into our lives. Embrace His path!

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post The Makers Man-Remaking Repurchaseappeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
When Christ the Mighty Maker Died – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
For Man the Creatures Sin – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-1448946/

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SONshine in darkness

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.

Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

 Take a look at the signage written in the bricks of the gate entering the Garden of Gethsemane located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Imagine the agony Christ experienced just for you. Breath in, breath out, surrender and invite God’s presence to help you be resonant. 

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined True Devotion. This week we will examine The SONshine.  When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

 PROMISE: Luke 23:44-45 Amplified Bible

44 It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), 45 because the sun was [a]obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was [b]torn in two [from top to bottom]

The death of Jesus brought darkness to the land.

PSALM: Alas and did my Savior bleed (At the Cross)
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Chorus

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Marker died
For man the creature’s sin
In this stanza, Watts focuses on the darkness that overtook the universe. I wonder what was the title of the message that accompanied this stanza? I suspect it may have been The SONshine.

PARABLE: When Jesus was crucified, even the sun hid. I can imagine creation not wanting to see the agony of the Holy One taking on the sin of the world.  I wanted to hide from agony as we walked through the shadow of the pandemic death with our dad.  The pit in my stomach felt like a knot winding tighter and tighter until I could not breathe. The tubes protruded from the nose of our dad with the bright hospital lights in the background shining through the screen of the Ipad. It was our last encounter, our last one-sided conversation, and our last goodbye. The screen went black when moments later the agonizing apology of the attending nurse echoed through the speaker of my phone announcing our dad’s death. It was about noon that day when darkness took over the VA hospital, the health care workers on that shift, my husband, and our family.

It was the moment our dad became part of the statistic of over 500,000 COVID-19 deaths recorded. Though each circumstance is different, I feel confident that with the 499,999 other families that experienced the loss of their family members, that on that day, their world went dark. Perhaps it was for minutes, hours, days, months, or even a year. Darkness can represent depression. There are times when I have been in darkness. Not seen any hope for the next day. Not able to see the SON rising and greeting me with a new day.

Yes. Even though I know that in darkness the SON-Jesus Christ, Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Rescuer, and Light in the Darkness is always shining–there are days I sit in darkness. Days I wonder what the circle of faith heroes would say if they only knew the worship leader, intercessor, God lover, beloved one of Jesus bulb was dim. I pray as a non-judging, light bearer they would step into my dark place, offer me their light, increase the wattage, and let Jesus, the SON shine hope through them. During this challenging time of global emotional trauma as we experience vicarious trauma with each newscast, I invite you to open the shades of darkness and let the SON shine into the window of your soul. Even if you don’t feel like you are sitting in the dark, let the light of Jesus into each day. I encourage you to reach out to someone and share your light. It is the only way we will survive the residue of this ongoing trauma of COVID-19, social injustice, and renormalizing.

PONDER and WANDER: During this preparation time before Easter, I invite you to take time to ponder the question: What emotional, mental, or spiritual area of my life do I need the SON to shine?

Soul care training exercise:  

  • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you are there any areas of darkness (sin, depression, confusion, guilt, shame, etc.) that need the SONshine?
    • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into your sanctified imagination. Ask the SON to shine brightly into any darkness.
      • Focus on what God shows you and receive the glow of His Presence.

PRAYER: Daddy Jesus, you ARE the SON shine. Shine brightly into the darkness of this world. Send light-bearers to those overtaken and hiding in the darkness. Expose sin, depression, shame, guilt, loneliness, and any dark seed rooted within our hearts. Help us be like candles lighting the way to peace. Let your light shine and glow until all we see is You and Your glory!

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to let the SON shine His vibrant light. Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post  SONshine appeared first on Resonant 7.

BONUS Guided Meditation. I invite you to take 4 minutes to listen to the SONshine guided meditation.

Image attributions:  Text art app with words added

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