How do I begin to put into words what Jesus and his sacrifice mean to me?  Some things truly are beyond words….but words are what I have for this evening….. this night that was met with unspeakable suffering for the one I love so much.  Rather than try to recount the dramatic story of the crucifixion in this short space, I would rather use our time together to focus on……grace.  The oh-so-amazing grace of God through the obedience of Jesus.  I invite you to take a listen to the song below by Chris Tomlin .  I’ll meet you back here in a few minutes. =)

“Amazing Grace”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzeqdnb5I4w&feature=related

“unending love…..amazing grace.”  So amazing…so indescribable.  And I admit freely that my gratitude for this grace is in direct proportion to the knowledge of how in need of forgiveness I am!  This gift I receive new each day is one I did not earn, and also one I desperately need.  Thus it is to me truly…..amazing grace.

There is no equal exchange for such a sacrifice.  Nothing I will ever have to repay this debt of gratitude, and the most amazing thing of all is that Jesus has never, ever, even once……asked me to.  He loves me.  He loves us….all.

So that is what drives me to take on the “hard stuff” of life, and not always run to the easy places of distraction and denial.  When I’m wrong, I need to embrace it, admit it, and let it go.  When I’m confused I need to pray for clarity and not give up when the answers don’t come easily.  When I’m hurt I run to the one whose heart was broken by betrayal and hatred for understanding and comfort.  When I’m in a difficult relationship with someone I don’t avoid them at all costs…..I try to look deeper into who they are and find the person Jesus loves.  And most of all……when I’m weary, used up and discouraged, I lean on the only one who knows me better than I know myself.  And I find such sweet release.  Pain is part of living this human life, and it would be crazy for me to think that I, even living under this protective canopy of grace, would not be touched by it.  But the difference for me is that I am never alone in that place.  I have a friend…a savior who meets me there and helps me sort it out until I find peace and healing.  Even in times of stubborness or indifference to his place in my life, Jesus never leaves.  He just waits for me to come back.  And, thanks be to God…..I always have.

What is your “hard stuff” today?  What seems beyond you to fix or heal or even understand?

Jesus knows hard.

He lived hard.

He died hard.

And he did it for us.

Amazing……