I am sitting in a treasure chest of history. I write this atop a monolith overlooking the grey blanketed hills at a time when history seems so important. History reminds us of who we are and where we came from.
This is a time of year that we, as people of faith, look at our history with Jesus' crucifixion and death. It is one of those squeamy times where we are uncomfortable as we celebrate what looks like a total failure to the casual observer or those who have rejected the way. To us it is the aroma of life, the sweet smell of laying down the yoke that we never could truly carry on our own. A place that is healing and a soul sighing release to those who have been set free.
I saw the Passion of the Christ, it haunted me, shook me, and left me with the unmistakable decision that I never wanted to see this movie again. It bothered me at first, why didn't I want to bask in this cinematic masterpiece that showed what Christ had done for us, the followers of the way. What spot resided in my soul that didn't allow me to enjoy and relish in a piece of our story, of our history. When it comes down to it, it is a brutal reminder of what
It doesn't tell the whole story
I came to peace with my feelings when I realized that I didn't feel like the movie gave totality to the representation of this pivotal time of our faith. The story doesn't end there! Christ arose! He lives! We now have life through Him and have been given access to our Father through the sacrifice. Easter is about the sacrifice that was made but also that the tomb is empty!
Romans 8 lies at the crux of our reason for celebration.
34b Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
We are more than conquerors through Christs; life, death, and resurrection. We have liberation from the sting of death. "We've seen, the landfill rainbow, we've seen the junkyard of love, baby it's no place for you and me" (Over the Rhine). The quote is taken totally out of context but the sentiment remains the same. We have the free gift of grace and life through Him the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. Don't return to the garbage and wallow in the refuse that used to hold us in comfortable decay. Instead throw off all that hinders and run into the open arms of our creator who invites to life in Him.
My alarm goes off and brings me back to the grey skies and history that lies in front of me. As we seek to park the dark skies I am reminded that we hope in what is not seen, in the eager expectation of what is to come. The Ronald Reagan Library sits as a monument to a President that is now ranked highly in popularity of Presidents in history. It is good for his legacy that the story didn't end in the midst of his presidency.
Blessings from a fellow alien and stranger travelling to a better tomorrow!
