The Three-Day Miracle

I feel like a slug tonight, even after two, two-hour naps. I considered a second round of coffee, but chose not to indulge. So, hang on. Hope my thoughts hold.

Half way through my Sunday sermon notes, I jotted down thoughts on living as a blade of grass. Looking back, I derailed not long after I scribbled, "Let’s choose joy. One day we will be called married. For now, we’re called to be strong—oh so strong—but I’m weary of being strong—yet the joy of the Gospel is springing forth. Darkness is being pushed away."

Honestly, I can’t remember how much of the above I quoted or just wrote. Obviously it's a mix. But Pastor Craig’s introduction to John's account of Jesus turning water into wine took us deep.

The story begins, “On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee” (John 2: 1 NIV).

The significance? Three days earlier, John the Baptist declared, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world…” (John 1: 29 NIV).

Craig explained that in those verses, John, the writer, foreshadowed the ultimate three-day story—the resurrection story. Eternal hope was springing forth. The first hint of winter’s thaw was being unveiled. 

And it occurred only three days after John the Baptist essentially stated, “He’s the one I’ve been telling you about. He’s the one you’ve been waiting for.”

While the words stirred my soul, I felt off. Ever since I mentioned Andrew Murray's analogy about living still like a blade of grass that simply soaks nourishment from the sun, an unfamiliar calm has filled me.

I know it’s good for me. But I'm uncomfortable.

Perhaps even in the middle of my own three-day story.

But then Craig reminded me we’re called to joy. We’re part of the big three-day story, living in between the resurrection and the coming again. Winter has thawed. The Spirit has come. There is much reason to rejoice. The water has been turned to wine and it is good.

So as a side note to Sunday’s sermon, I wrote this:

Life as a Blade of Grass

1) It contradicts the current societal rush. Being busy is the norm. Not being busy feels wrong, counter-culture.

2) The chronically ill have an extra opportunity to embrace this way of living if we’ll recognize it as a gift.

3) Why does it take so long to learn? Because much of our early life is scripted, scheduled, and performance based. Only when things slow can we hear God's voice above the others. And there are many to ignore. Every time we check FB or turn on the news, we're inundated by the broken world. 

So, perhaps I should ask myself, "What will it take for you to be still... and rejoice?"

My answer? 

"I have to let go of my desires concerning achievement and income. Because it seems like everyone else can accomplish what I can't."

Well, then. Let them go. And live in the three-day miracle.

All photos courtesy of pixabay.com