Years ago, my ex-husband and I were going in and out of Nashville meeting with publishing companies and trying to secure a writing contract. One of the songs Geoff had written was called “Death upon a Tree.” It started with the words “with pen in hand I write a long song to tell you how I feel…” And the song was just that – a love song to the Christ who bled and died His “death upon a tree” for you and me. One publishing executive listened, put the cassette tape back in Geoff’s hands, and sat back behind his sprawling desk. “Geoff, I hate to tell you this, but people don’t want to hear about the blood of Jesus.” In that moment, I was livid and my heart wept. But you know what? He was right.
We avoid spending time in the desert being tested and tried. We fall asleep when our Savior needs us to rise up the most. We hide when persecution takes aim at our fears. And we walk away from the foot of a bloody cross. I understand that Christ took our place, enduring the cross on our behalf so we wouldn’t have to. But you and I are the Bride of Christ. Doesn’t’ that give us an image of connection on a deep and intimate level? What bride would not want to lie down beside her husband while he suffers, while he weeps?
Lent is a time of reflection. What did Christ suffer for us? The physical suffering of the nails and thorns. The emotional suffering of being rejected by those He created and those He came to save. And the spiritual suffering of separation from God as He bore our sins on that tree. What do we do that still continues to crucify Him daily? What do we carry that needs to be left under the cross?
Lent is a time of denying ourselves. Jesus chose to step away from His not-so-ordinary ordinary life to go into the desert and let God prepare Him for the next leg of His journey. He laid down all earthly conveniences, all earthly companionship, and all earthly comfort to put Himself in communion with His Heavenly Father. He was tested and tried so that, when the crucial moment came, He could be willing to say “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” There will be a day when each of us will face this moment. Are you ready? Or will you still be clinging to things that you have not yet learned to let go?
Lent is a time of pressing in to hear God more clearly. I have often wondered what secrets Jesus wanted to share with the disciples that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. What wisdom would He have whispered in their ears – if only they had not fallen asleep? If only they had snuggled up close and were quiet, would they have heard the beating of His heart giving them the rhythm by which to live their lives? Would He have affirmed what He saw in each of them from the moment they chose to walk with Him? What does He want to speak to your heart as you lean close?
I will share with you a piece of a song that I began composing a few months ago. I honestly didn’t know if anyone would ever read these words. But as I wrote this devotional earlier today, they came flooding through my mind. I think they are fitting here. I want to take time to bask in His forgiveness. I want to find strength in this time at His feet. And I want to leave this Lenten season with a passion and a courage to take the message of the cross to a world that rejects Him daily.
I will lay me down in a pool of crimson
I will let it saturate these stains
Oh, and when I rise all of my disgrace
Will be white as pearls in the wedding lace
Of the Bride who longs for Your swift returning
In the field whose harvest is all but done
Let me find myself with my gaze on heaven
And the plow held fast in my well-worn hands.
© 2015 Becky A. Thurman
I am a writer. www.commonthreads.weebly.com
I am a missionary. www.asoulstory.weebly.com