The Word

Lent begins. A season of reflection and renewal. Forty days like stones on a path leading me to the moment I hold high above all others.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen…

Matthew 28:1-6

News of resurrection is coming.

It won’t be long now.

Who is this man that defies death and lives again? I am familiar with his stories. I can recite many of his words and tell you all about him. Dare I say to the best of my ability I know him personally. But not enough, I never know enough of him. Is that safe to admit here on the blog where not enough is not a good thing?

Honestly I’m not quite sure, but today I’m o.k. with it. If some not enough must exist in me this one I embrace with open arms. Because Resurrection Day is not a one-time event, but a daily occurrence in my heart. I want infinitely more relationship, and I believe he is an infinite God. So there’s that.

This stepping stone path of Lent will have signs along the way. Words to describe this fully human, fully Godman I serve. Words I plan to share here on the blog. Names others call him, describing names, proper names, names I struggle with and names I love.

You’re invited to come along. We’ll take each step together and read the signs along the way. As always I would love to hear from you, maybe you’ll have a sign of your own to share with me as we take it step by step.

Let’s begin…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ahh… my all-time favorite scripture. I serve a God willing to leave glory and power behind to put on flesh, to wear skin like mine. I serve a God who limited his infinite everything to become like me. I serve a God of his Word.

No single word can describe, nor give the full picture. I read and realize this conversation is my conversation.

“If you had one word to describe Jesus what would it be?”

Words for Jesus started running through my mind and out my mouth: Love.. Compassion… Holy… Lord… Teacher… Risen… Healer… (These are all good words to describe Jesus.)

As he often did in my conversations with him, Dallas waited quietly for me to keep thinking. He was unhurried. I was drawn into his silent prayer.

Finally, I asked, “Dallas, what’s your word for Jesus?”

He smiled, “Relaxed.”

–Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D., Your Best Life In Jesus’ Easy Yoke

I wonder if it’s true. I scroll through the stories of Jesus in my mind. Is there any angst, any anxiety, any sign of a hurried and harried demeanor? To my knowledge, the answer is no. No worry, no anxious brooding, no quick-stepping or fast driving to the next place.

I hear Spirit’s whisper, Stacy… relax. 

Scripture words come to mind.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11: 28-30, The Message

Yes, I am tired at times, worn out, burned up. I often run to the next thing and force myself into rhythms that don’t fit. Life gets heavy and these shoes are tight. I want to put my feet up and relax every day not just on vacation days. Some call it lazy, others may wonder if there is one bit of ambition in me. For now, for this Lenten season I’ll not be concerned with all that.

Instead, Lent is my getaway. A stone path to relax and live the natural rhythms of grace. I’ll stop along the way, sit and ponder the signs, smell the roses, embrace the beauty of rest.

And there it is, the word I chose for this year.

Rest.

Jesus, the Word, is the way to real rest.