I probably need to post this in a few other places to remind/reinforce:
We swim in language as fish swim in the sea, not noticing the power that our words have
to manifest, to create and to destroy. – Mary Jo Asmus
Training Journal – 8/22/13:
This was on the wall at the restaurant tonight:
Training Journal – 2/29/12:
U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner confesses (AFP/Getty Images)
In his statement, Rep. Weiner said, “I have made terrible mistakes”, “I have not been honest”, and also described his actions as “dumb,” “destructive” and “deeply, deeply hurtful.”
While you or I may not have done similar actions, we probably could use some of the same words and/or phrases to describe some of our actions.
As his press conference played on the CNN feed in my office, the following words of Jesus came to mind:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1-5
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone…”
John 8:3-8
I’m moving on and worrying about my own life…
Last week, much was made about First Lady Michelle Obama’s “breach of protocol” when she touched Queen Elizabeth II. Without going in to the varying opinions of the actual event (there are those who say “eh, it’s no big deal” and some who are disparaging Mrs. Obama), it actually caused me to think about another Royal who is perfectly fine with being approached by anyone…without commanding genuflection:
Jesus Christ – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His Coronation:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
Our Invitation:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. -Ephesians 3:12
Especially with this week being what is commonly called Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday) and Easter next Sunday, I am humbled and rejoice in the fact that through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, you and I (as followers of Christ) have free and unlimited access at anytime and any place of our choosing to the Sovereign, Almighty, and Glorious God of the universe!
He is the God who came close (John 3:16-17, Philippians 2:6-11)…and longs for closeness with us (through a personal relationship…not just empty, ritualistic religion). May we savor and cherish that approachability this week as we remember the events that purposely took place so long ago.
Hallelujah!
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