Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Any thoughts on the Passover?

There are holidays that I love and can't wait to get here. And then there are holidays that I feel reverent towards. And I know full well that the Passover is not a "holiday" per say, it does stand to be recognized for a number a reasons. I think you understand what I mean when I say that.
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A few weeks ago I was going through a "blue moment". I am sure you know what I mean. A moment when everything seems to go wrong and when it can't get worse, well, somehow it does. This moment for me seemed to last for weeks though. Talk about a party pooper!

At one point I had just had it. I was done with the floating raincloud over my head raining on my parade. I had such a nice parade... floats, life-size snoopy balloons, dancers... and well, they were getting all soaked. I had to do something.

Comments such as "get over it" or "give more service" or even the unspeakable "no one even loves you so why does it matter" seemed to assail me. I felt a little abondaned (since i am being really too honest here). I blame it on Screwtape. It wasn't until I began to realize somethings about myself that it dawned on me like a ray of sunshine after a cloudy day (nice tie in huh?), I needed my Savior.
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I still have a ways to go I am sure. And in like fashion, I doubt that Screwtape and all the other little helpers of that guy will just walk away and let me win. But I know I can and I know this because of everything that happened thousands of years ago, beginning at Passover.
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Here is an excerpt I wanted to share with you. From Elder. Holland. For my sweet friends that are having a hard time, I pray this will find you and you will know that you are not walking alone.


But Jesus held on. He pressed on. The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete anguish. The trust He lived by told Him in spite of His feelings that divine compassion is never absent, that God is always faithful, that He never flees nor fails us. When the uttermost farthing had then been paid, when Christ’s determination to be faithful was as obvious as it was utterly invincible, finally and mercifully, it was “finished.”18 Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair. With faith in the God He knewwas there, He could say in triumph, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”19
Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”20
My other plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day. As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,”21 for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen


4 comments:

Tina said...

I hope this week is full of more sunshine for you!!
You need to come see us. When is good for you? It seems like you have A LOT going on but Cloey keeps asking for you guys and it would be fun for you to see our house and we can go play.

You truly are amazing and never let your thoughts control you and make you think otherwise. I look up to you in so many ways. If you ever need a pick me up, call me!!!!

Sapp Family said...

Thanks for sharing these! Its always nice to have reminders like these to help us remember the real reason for the holiday. Pretty soon most people won't probably even know why they're celebrating the holiday anymore.

The Parrys said...

This is amazing! Thanks for sharing it. Sometimes life gets so difficult and can seem unbearable, but if we turn to the savior, we can be at peace. I just love that. You are great, never think otherwise. You are a wonderful mother, wife, and friend. Hope things get better :). love ya!

Cassidy and Daniel Stephens said...

Thanks for your comments. I love the screwtape letters and its true he definitely tries to screw with our minds to make us feel low.
Loved your thoughts and Pres. Hollands. So powerful. (its mom not cas)

I am realizing that this is mostly me, (makana) you get to read about in this blog. Hmm... well, lucky you! :)