the greatest:day two

[Read & meditate on Matthew 18.1-4. What does it look like to be as humble as a little child?]

Children lack the strength that adults have. They don’t think they are so smart. They are always willing to ask questions, lots of questions, because they don’t have all the answers. They know it’s OK to admit you don’t know something. They are willing to ask for help. They so often see people as just that, people, regardless of how they look. They don’t have the usual trappings of success: money, possessions, position, great accomplishments, uber-intelligence, etc. They are “just kids” who are willing to embrace life.

the greatest:day one

[Read & meditate on Luke 9.46-48. The last sentence could be translated as, "Whoever is the most humble and servant-hearted among you is the most significant." How do you tend to strive for significance?]

We seem to think that significance is connected to being noticed. If I do impressive things and people see me, they will have a high opinion of me. Significance seems to be connected with self-promotion–at least the way we pursue significance. I get this sense that in order to be great I have to do more and be more. I need to rise above the crowd. I have to do what no one else could do. It’s about competition and pride. It’s about making me look good, often at the expense of others. It clashes terribly with what Jesus says. It seems like it actually makes me less human rather than making me a greater human.

Jesus wept:day 6

[Reflect on what you have read and processed this week. Where is God when bad things happen? Where are you?]

God is right there. And maybe, more importantly than preventing the pain, He is somehow using it to put the world back together. I don’t fully comprehend it, but it’s there. I heard someone say once that if I want to find God, I need to find the oppressed and the heartbroken, because that’s where God will be. Sadly, those are the places I try to avoid. I wonder if it is because I am afraid that I will have to address my own neediness and brokenness–and that will inevitably hurt. Maybe I need to run to those places rather than running away from them.

Jesus wept:day five

[Read & meditate on John 11.35. What would it mean to have the Creator of the universe weeping with you?]

I ‘m not alone. Even in my deepest pain, the most significant Person in the universe is right there with me. Wow! It seems to be an incredible display of love and intimacy. The people who can mourn best with me are the people who know me best, love me most–this is the One who weeps with me. I don’t need to hide my tears, He sees them and shares them. This is an incredible comfort. It moves God from an ambivalent distance to an intimate closeness. This is the God I need.

Jesus wept:day four

[Read & meditate on John 11.35. Jesus wept, even though He knew that He would bring Lazarus back to life. What is important about what Jesus didn't say or do?]

One of the names of Jesus is Emanuel, “God with us.” Jesus didn’t act or speak as someone removed from the situation or the pain, instead He was truly with the people in their pain and sorrow. He entered into their world and experienced their pain and their sorrow. That’s the kind of God I need. One who it truly with me. One who journeys with me through the highs and the lows. A God who is not afraid to hear my questions and experience the depths of my emotion–A God who is truly with me.