This morning as I caught several different services in all their streaming beauty my thoughts drifted back to the many Palm Sundays I’ve experienced through years. The churches may have been different, but the images sort of blend into one big joyous celebration of children processing down aisles, waving their palm branches, people singing “Hosanna!” and proud parents leaning at odd angles to get pictures of their little ones looking adorable in the parade. Really, it’s just about the closest thing to an all-out ruckus a mainline protestant congregation is likely to make!

I guess maybe because things were different today, without the usual chaos of the kids in the holding pen, swatting each other with palms and waiting for their que to start waving plants in church, but it’s left me with more of an “after the parade” feeling than being part of the branch-waving crowd. Truthfully, I never fully give myself into the joy of “hosanna” because I know what comes next….I know that in what had to have seemed like a heartbeat, the crowd exchanged “hosanna!” for “crucify him!” and what’s more….Jesus knew it too. And it leaves me wondering how that must have made him feel….

Anyone who’s known the sting of betrayal or rejection knows it’s not a warm fuzzy. I think sometimes we idealize Jesus right out of his humanity and think these very normal, human emotions must not have been “as bad” for him. But I don’t believe that for a minute….

Here’s the thing….we have SUCH an amazing celebration in a week, when death is defeated and Jesus takes his rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But for now….we need to try our best to stay nearby, to walk with him through some very difficult days ahead. And I know we’re already walking through some very real-time hard days, but what Jesus did this week? It was the bridge that leads us into the very presence of God! And that not only changes our eternal lives, but it’s a very real-time gift that can transform our lives today and tomorrow and every day ahead of us as we live into that freedom.

I love you, and I’m so thankful to be on this journey that’s been like none other with you. I fully trust that God is leading us, and I’m willing to dive into this week believing for victory at the end of it. Will you join me?

Always,

Shellie

The Bridge

Casting Crowns

Oh oh
The world’s getting darker by the day
I’m on my knees but don’t know what to pray
The broken things that broken people do
But knowing just how far You came for me
Gives me hope for every soul I meet
There’s no one so far gone that You can’t reach
So reach through me
Let them see, Lord, let them see
Your love is the bridge
You built with a cross
And Your truth is the light
That searches for the lost
Your grace won’t stop reaching
Your mercy won’t let go
‘Cause Your love is the bridge
And Your truth leads us home, oh
You lead us home, oh
You never told the broken they were whole
You spoke the truth that healed their broken souls
You’d never leave us here to fight alone
With love we earn the right to speak Your truth
it’s not just what we say, it’s what we do
I want to be a bridge that leads to You
So reach through me
Let them see, Lord, let them see
Your love is the bridge
You built with a cross
And Your truth is the light
That searches for the lost
Your grace won’t stop reaching
Your mercy won’t let go
‘Cause Your love is the bridge
And Your truth leads us home, oh
You lead us home, oh
No rescue so relentless
No greater love than this
Where sin leaves a canyon
Your love builds a bridge
No rescue so relentless
No greater love than this
Where sin leaves a canyon
Your love builds a bridge
No rescue so relentless
No greater love than this
Where sin leaves a canyon
Your love builds a bridge
Your love builds a bridge
Your love is the bridge
You built with a cross
Your truth is the light
That searches for the lost
Your grace won’t stop reaching
Your mercy won’t let go
‘Cause Your love is the bridge
Your love is the bridge
No rescue so relentless
No greater love than this
Where sin leaves a canyon
Your love builds a bridge

Songwriters: Mark John Hall / Bernie Herms / Seth David Mosley / Matthew Joseph West
The Bridge lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management