How Dare We!

Matthew 20:19 – “And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”
      If you haven’t seen the movie “Invictus” which stars Morgan Freeman, portraying the role of South African President Nelson Mandela it is worth the viewing. The plot was of Mandela’s push to resolve political and social issues through his support of South Africa’s lagging rugby team. One scene in particular struck a chord with me and pushed a reactionary button. In order to motivate the players, Mandela had them visit his old prison cell at Robben Island where he spent the majority of his 27 year incarceration. The captain of the team stood in his small cell and with arms extended measured the width and girth of the narrow confinement. He reflected on the enormous measure of a man that was imprisoned in this shallow tomb-like enclosure.
     As I watched the movie, with the strength of a tidal wave, the spirit of the Lord overcame me; I could see Jesus with his arms stretched out wide, standing in the gap between me and God; bringing us back into union. I felt my eyes well-up with tears as my soul shouted to my total existence…’how dare you?’ How dare you complain about anything? How dare you wallow in the shallowness of what you believe you lost? How dare you not trust the God of all creation? How dare you be impatient with God’s timing?
     As we commemorate the death and burial of Jesus Christ this Good Friday I challenge you today…. look at your circumstances – stretch out your arms and measure the breadth and depth of what God has you in to help you trust him more….. How dare we not go, when he is the way? How dare we lie to ourselves and others, when he is the truth? How dare we not see, when he is the light? How dare we?
     Jesus died, was buried and resurrected all in harmony with the salvation plan that God put into place before the foundations of the world were even established. If God had a rescue plan in place for mankind before he even created us; then surely God has a plan for us in the simple circumstances that we face day to day. How dare we? How dare we sit down and become null and void… How dare we waste precious time being afraid, jealous, petty, insecure, anxious . . .? Jesus took care of all of that at the cross. Get up and get about God’s business. Don’t waste another moment. We are new creations in Christ. Get up and make your mark – be about your purpose!
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a Victoriusly GREAT day! Be blessed! Happy Resurrection Weekend.  See you on Monday!  Dr. JoAnn