Myron Speaks

God Created You for Marvelous Purpose

  • Your Choice

    ”Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT

    There is always a reason. Always a purpose. Always hope. Always the choice of joy. God is always at work.

    I know that I have shared with many of you that I struggled with why Paul was allowed by God to be unjustly imprisoned? In chains. In squalor. Why did God allow arguably the greatest builder, defender and guide of the early Church to be sitting in a jail when so many needed him?

    Then one night the Holy Spirit awakened me and said: “Paul was such a man of action that he would have chosen mission work over writing. Paul was placed in prison and restricted so that he would write many of the letters that would become books that would make up two-thirds of the New Testament. Those letters that became books would be read by billions of people with millions choosing to follow Christ.” The Spirit finished with the question: “Now considering this, do you think that Paul’s imprisonment was a waste of time?” He did not allow his momentary restriction to reduce his eternal impact for God’s Kingdom.”

    This has stayed with me and has greatly helped me reconcile those times where I felt unproductive and questioned my situation. God’s timing and plan will be revealed as we are ready and our hearts positioned to hear. Our choice is do we languish in self pity or prepare for the assignment ahead. God does not waste time and he certainly does not waste his children.

    ”Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLT

    Stand up. Study up. Pray up. Expect up. You matter and your impact is profound. Choose today to be God’s vessel.

    ”Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NLt

    You’ve got this.

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  • Disrupter or Dust Collector

    I was privileged to serve on a team that oversaw the management and financial areas of a local church several years ago. It was an amazing time to listen and learn. This was a diverse team of women and men, with varying backgrounds designed to mirror the demographics of the church. The Leadership Team would sometimes venture outside our lane and that’s where the fun would ensue.

    For a season I was tasked with the role of leading the Leadership Team. As I opened one meeting I brought up lights that had recently been installed for use during praise and worship. I outlined that I felt these lights were intrusive and too bright for an old guy in his late 40’s like me. In my immutable wisdom (insert laughter here), I suggested we need to tone these down for the ‘comfort of our members.’

    Imagine my surprise when one of the older members of the Team looked me directly in the face, raised and began shaking her finger at me, saying “Myron, Sunday’s are not about you and me. They are about the visitors coming that do not know Jesus. You and I know Jesus and we are assured Heaven. Sunday is about doing whatever we can do to draw people to visit and introduce them to him. If some bright lights will help do that, then you can either accept them, put sunglasses on or sit farther back. It’s not about you and me. Sunday is about helping people find Jesus for themselves!” To which I looked at Ms. Marianne and apologized and forever looked at her with love, gratitude and marvel, during my remaining time on the Team.

    Don’t you love disrupters? We serve the greatest Disrupter in the history of the World. His name is Jesus. A litmus test that I often challenge churches with is the question ‘If Jesus were to return to earth today, would he darken the doors of your church?’ And equally important to the individual ‘Would you hang out with the homeless guy speaking counter-cultural messages of hope, life, salvation, eternity?’

    “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” Luke 12:49-51 NLT

    Where did we come up with the notion that our churches are to be places of tradition, comfortable seating, controlled heat and air, ruled by fiduciary responsibility? How many homeless or underserved people do we drive by on our way to our place of worship, forgetting that Jesus would have been late or not attending the scheduled service as he invested in the lives of those that are now discounted or ignored? When did ‘radical’ leave our DNA? Where did the name “service” come from.

    “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

    My point is this. What is the purpose of the local church? Country Club or Locker Room? A Country Club is a place where those in society who ‘have made it’ isolate themselves and discuss like-minded things while lavishing themselves with fine food, drink, pools, golf and so on. (Yes, you know it’s true. I have belonged to numerous Country Clubs through the years and love that God compels me to feel like a fish out of water when I attend one today. But alas, that’s just me!). A Locker Room is a location where the team (the church) prepares for the mission at hand. A place of purpose and intentionality. A place where comfort has no rest and preparation has no end.

    “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”. Matthew 28:19 KJV

    So my challenge to all of us who proclaim the name of Jesus is to use the facilities that God has entrusted to us to expand his Kingdom. Use them as places of preparation. As places of love, hope, rest, reclamation, purpose identifying, World disrupting vessels intent on Satan’s defeat by winning one lost soul at a time.

    “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

    My encouragement is this. Be courageous and step into the box (the local church) with the intent of contributing your time, talents, money, heart and love, oh so much love. Be glad when the walls and halls are dirty and scarred from so much activity and community-driven efforts that that maintenance team cannot keep up. Be empowered when the food pantry is so busy receiving that the givers are looking for additional people to give food and love. Be committed to serve with a group of broken people, galvanized by the most radical truth to ever invade this World, his name is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Shock someone today by showing them an unsettling love that can only be found in the God who settled our eternity through his Son.

    “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:12 ESV

    You’ve got this.

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  • Soar and Roar

    “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:27-29 MSG

    Over the past 14 years, God has allowed me to walk in and then out of the shoes of an addict. A man deeply broken and listening to the World’s guidance of healing. Healing that involved prolonged counseling to find the root causes of trauma that led to a lifetime of porn addiction. Telling me that a deep dive into my past would lead to understanding, then healing, then a future guided by methods learned to manage the temptation of addiction…because I now understood the root cause of the trauma that had led to my addiction.

    “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 ESV

    Today if you are struggling with addiction, temptation, doubt, anxiety or any other life-limiting dependencies, there is another path. This path belongs to and is managed by the Creator of all things. The Father, who when his children Adam & Eve grievously sinned and destined humanity for life apart from Him, sewed them garments and clothed them. “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 NIV

    Isaiah 43:18 says “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.” This scripture was already setting the stage of removing guilt and shame 800 years prior to Jesus being born, guilt and sin and shame dying in the cross, the New Covenant being established that again allowed humans to talk and fellowship directly with God. Yet, we are taught and encouraged by a broken World to get well, then seek seek the Healer.

    My journey has taught me and I have witnessed with brothers in Christ over and over again a proven model, that assures my limited mind. A known model from the King of all kings that says “come to me and I will give you rest.” A life model that says seek Christ first in all things. Trust Jesus in all things. Surrender the life experiences that have limited you and allow God the Father to turn these into powerful sources of hope for others. Walk into the father/daughter or father/son relationship that God solely desires with you and through the only hope that is Jesus Christ, then seek to accept and use what was meant for evil and life-limiting for exponential good.

    What Satan wants us to believe is too simple and quick, God says there is nothing to complex, too broken, too daunting that I cannot and will not fix if only you ask and believe.

    So, I choose to trust in the millennia proven truth that is our Father in Heaven. I choose to believe that the God who would use Elijah to bring a widow’s son back to life, empower John and Peter to heal a man unable to walk and watch him dance around, read of the witnesses who, at Jesus’s command, watched Lazarus walk out of his tomb days after the World said he is dead, understand that God’s healing does not require presence as Elisha instructed the soldier to bathe in the river and was instantly healed of leprosy and truths of miraculous healing over and over and over; I choose to believe in God’s omnipotent power and to stop limiting Him because of my own limitations.

    God can and will heal you if you will allow him. Healing begins by surrendering your life to him. Surrendering your life involves acknowledging your sin. Agreeing that Jesus came to earth, died and rose again for your sins, for the promise of eternal life. Asking Jesus to save you from sin, addiction, doubt, despair. Trusting that when you ask Jesus to save you, he will also begin the process of healing old wounds by revealing their purpose and his plans for your life. Healing comes when you are willing to be reconciled that what has occurred has purpose. When we move from victim to victor. When we allow God to unleash his supernatural healing and his super-empowering plans for our lives, our lives and life purposes emerge.

    I have witnessed God’s children move from paralysis of trauma and the sin of doubt, to his vessels of hope and impact when they have chosen to simply trust and surrender. God mourns the trauma we have experienced and as the good, good Father that he is, desires to see you soar on wings like eagles as you choose to live the life he has created you to contribute to this World. Purpose is so very freeing. Give it a try.

    “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31 AMP

    You’ve got this

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  • A Matter of Matter

    “Love one another with brotherly (sisterly) affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV

    To the beautiful young lady (G__y) that worked so diligently to help Megan and me with our carwash RFID issue, I’m sorry. Thank you. You are amazing and I apologize for every way that I minimized you as you worked in vain to resolve what was not your fault.

    I am so thankful for you and your forgiving heart. As you explained to me in detail what you found and could not find, I should have admired your willingness to invest in our problem when I thoughtlessly and callously said “I don’t care, I just want a new RFID card that will work!”

    Then I saw your beautiful eyes fall, your shoulders sag and your body push back in the chair. I’m so sorry for being a broken human, filled with flaws, self absorbed and inconvenienced at your expense. You deserve so much better because of who you are. As the tears ran down your face and fell on your arms filled with tattoos revealing a complex life commemorated through these markings, you became so much more than an employee.

    I am so thankful in that moment that the Holy Spirit intervened and out of my mouth I apologized to you. I am so thankful that the Spirit corrected me and affirmed you when I said, “I am so sorry for those awful words. Thank you for your help and desire to resolve my problem.” And the Spirit continued through me when I then said “I want you to know that you matter. That you have incredible value. I am thankful for you.” I meant every word that the Spirit said through me.

    “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV

    I was unprepared for the tears that began flowing down your face. I was ill-prepared for your sharing what a terrible day yesterday, Saturday, April 13, 2024 had been for you. I was taken aback that you so willingly shared your frustration, the short length of time you had worked there, the despair that you were feeling. Thank you for being so transparent and trusting me in that moment to listen and hear. You deserve to be heard and you deserve to be valued. You have infinite value by our Creator. Your’s and mine.

    So today G___y, I am thinking of you. Praying for you. Thankful for you. Looking forward to seeing you at the carwash again, to encourage you and again tell you that you matter. You had a profound impact on my life on Saturday, 4-13-24, and I am grateful for you.

    “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,”. Proverbs 7:4 ESV

  • Faith Makes the Cloudy Clear

    I find myself in a unique place of questioning and seeking. Obedience seems to lead to more questions than answers. God makes clear to me that my heart must align with his Will and my desires surrender to his plans. So I take another step today. I place all at his feet and do what the Spirit places in my heart and through my mind. My voice steps aside to allow the rightful voice of the Spirit to speak into me and out of me. My questions remain and this is where faith takes over.

    Why write when few read? Because I read your heart.

    Why talk when few listen? Because I hear your heart.

    Why pursue when there is little reward? Because I know your heart.

    Why bother Father? Because I know what your heart needs…

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5 ESV

    This is more, so much more than enough.

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  • Numbers Matter

    Do you ever wonder about your worth and value in this World? We live in a time where value is based upon numbers. Numbers of social media friends. Numbers of cars. Number of square feet in a house. Number of vacations taken. Number of digits in a bank account. Number of countries visited. Numbers of calories injected. Number of calories burned. (Paradoxical!)

    It is easy to get caught up in the frivolous and frankly, sinful view of numbers. Assigning our significance to numbers is diminishing the value of self and our worth to God. While the World shouts how much, God quietly, consistently and eternally says how valuable. How valuable you/we are in his eyes. How significant our contribution to the tapestry that makes up our World. His World, that we are allowed to live and thrive. His World where we are called to introduce every human being that crosses our path to Him. And they don’t cross our path by happenstance but by God’s very placement of us and them in that moment.

    “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16 ESV

    So today I just want you to know that God says you are infinitely significant because He created you. Every number that matters, matters to God. Those numbers are the inhabitants of this planet, who He formed and has known before time began. Life’s not fair by human standards. Eternal life equally unfair by human measurement. How amazing that our value is assigned by a Grace and Mercy measuring tape that is supernatural in existence and never-ending in assurance.

    You matter. Your matter was created because you matter. Whatever has come before is for this moment and time. Your number is the hope and good news for so many numbers coming in your path. Your value is exponentially valuable to the Assigner of all value. You are loved by the Creator of love. That my sister or brother is enough.

    You’ve got this.

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  • Eclipsed

    “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”. Hebrews 1:3 ESV

    I watched with fascination the social media post, the news reporting and people’s actions relating to yesterday’s eclipse event. People were willing to travel for hours, deal with traffic jams, set up in remote places, spend money and time, share in the excitement for a few fleeting moments of the moon and sun aligning in some percentage of blackout. An awesome cosmic event gifted by the Creator of the cosmos.

    I saw numerous references to Joel 2:31 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.” (KJV). The context of this scripture is likely most attributable to God’s wrath on earthly kingdoms, people and their destruction. The reference to darkness the smoke and remnants of the destruction that blot out the sun and the blood moon to the death of those caught up in this destruction.

    Yesterday’s eclipse in East TN was a non-event because of rain and significant cloud coverage. The greatness, the hope, the assurance, the everlasting promise, the deity of God was present yesterday, is present today and is an absolute assurance trillions of years from now as the temporary stars come and go, He remains.

    So what would happen if we, His kids, approached every day as an eclipse event? We serve a Father that eclipses all physical laws of time and space. We have a Father whose unconditional love eclipses the limiting definition of love our human hearts extend. We live in the Father’s assurance of eternity that eclipses the doubt of sin and regret of life experience. We are loved, held, guided, empowered by a Heavenly Father whose Grace and Mercy eclipses all sin and limitations if only we ask.

    I have heard a great and tragic statement that says what occupies our mind and controls our time is our god. I am not looking for a theological fight here and do think there is factual truth here. What would East TN, the United States, the World look like today if every person that professes the name of Christ approached today with the tenacity and open communication and intensity that occurred during yesterday’s eclipse? A seismic shift in hope, love and expectation replaced with assurance would be growing. Hope would abound. People would cancel therapy sessions, pending divorces, anger management classes…all things that Satan uses to steal, kill and destroy God’s beloved children. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Philippians 2:10 NASB

    So let’s allow eternal euphoria to replace momentary excitement. Let’s roar with the voice of a lion and the gentle love of a lamb the incredible news that Jesus reconciled us to his Father. Let’s know, present and defend scripture so people seeking, find. That momentary excitement surrounding a Heavenly event gifted by God the Father is understood that it is an event assigned and controlled by the only Omnipotent and omnipresent Being. Let’s recognize that every day time shortens and the chasm between assurance and desolation grows. Let’s accept the assignment that Jesus left us with to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”. Matthew 28:19 KJV

    Let’s go! Thank you, Father for yesterday’s gift and reminder that you are in control.

    “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:4 NIV

    You’ve got this

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  • Tears and a Towel

    “Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and began kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner!”

    And Jesus responded and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii, and the other, fifty. When they were unable to repay, he canceled the debts of both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I assume the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she has not stopped kissing My feet since the time I came in. You did not [ab]anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” And then those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50 NASB

    Have you noticed the pattern in the New Testament where Jesus beautifully rebukes the efforts of the ‘powerful and uplifted’ by involving those the religious people of the day judged and rejected? I love this story of the woman who understood the glory of the Forgiver standing in front of her, back to her, who held the ability to forgive sins. She did not seek to show herself worthy. She sought to glorify Jesus by an act that honored the guest and exemplified his value and ‘status’ in the home the guest was visiting.

    Jesus softly and forcibly exposed the heart of the Pharisee that had opened his home to him. While the Pharisee desired to hear and learn from Jesus, he chose not to honor and exalt him by not extending the gracious act of the day of cleaning his feet, or even offering a bowl of water that Jesus might have used to clean his own feet. Then when the insult was to take place, Jesus turned this effort, yet again, into an example of beauty and love that the leaders of the day could not, or refused to recognize and understand.

    Why has my heart been drawn to work with God’s children overcoming addiction? Because I desire to be close to Jesus and he draws himself close to those of us that have much to overcome and hearts desiring to humbly serve him through our actions and our minds. What the World defines as dirty and broken, Jesus clearly shows as worthy of repair and cleaning. Hearts reflecting the heart of this woman. Actions reflecting the acts of this woman. Lives reflecting the heart of the Savior and his deep, deep, abiding love for you, his daughters and sons.

    Walk boldly today. You are the child of the Most High God. That is more than enough.

    You’ve got this!

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  • Are You Not Entertained?

    “Are You Not Entertained? Are You Not Entertained? Is This Not Why You Are Here?” General Maximus (Gladiator)

    “they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!” John 12:13 NIV

    I was recently having lunch with Adam, one of my favorite people in this World and the Holy Spirit had me utter words too profound for me alone when I said: “Congregations are so fickle, it drives pastors to be incredibly inauthentic.” Adam’s response was: “This was such a profound insight. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop. That comment has really helped me to extend grace where I have before been quick to judge. Love you.” Please pray for your Pastor today, this weekend and every day. They are called to lead and appointed in a time of incredible confusion and inauthenticity.

    Today, on this day of silent confusion, the day between, I often wonder what the various people involved in Jesus’ life and death uttered to themselves. “Why?” “Now what?” “That was fun, hanging with my friends and encouraging the death of that guy.” “Could the leaders have been right?” “What about the earthquake? The darkened skies?” “How do we make sure no one finds out about the temple curtain ripping from top to bottom?” “What about the ‘holy people’ who came out of their tombs when he died?’ How, how do we maximize this to instill fear, quell questioning, gain greater control, increase giving to and membership in the Temple?” “How do we put the genie back in the bottle?” You don’t!

    “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:50-54 NIV

    I imagine Jesus’ mother, Mary asking his brothers, James and Joseph, ‘what has happened’ as she dealt with the shock of her beloved and guiltless son’s murder. We know Jesus’ closest friends and followers scattered and hid. We know that fear reigned because understanding had not arrived. We know the mob won in the moment as leaders of the day congratulated themselves for ridding their closely held and controlled world of the greatest risk they had ever experienced…and so they thought.

    Fast forward approximately 1,991 years (AD) and we find ourselves in the time between, much like the day between Jesus death, burial and resurrection. We find ourselves in a time where the leaders of these days desire to deny truth in exchange for pacifying the mob. Where polling of the mood of the moment supersedes all factual defense of truth. Where ‘entertainers’ can influence our children and those lukewarm in their faith with the press of a button. A time where authenticity is surrendered for popularity. It seems that Jesus died and rose again for the defense, the hope, the assurance of eternity to those who believe in him for a time like the days in which we are living…and times that every human has lived since his death and most importantly, his resurrection.

    The Amplified Bible translation succinctly defines the chasm between Believers and the mob in Revelation 3:16 where John writes “So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]”

    So in this ‘between’ day, I believe there was heart surgery occurring in and through Jesus’ followers. This was the day that would define the lives of those committed to the Christ. The day where the question Peter had uttered to Jesus came into focus: “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68 NLT).

    This was a day of complete confusion and despair for all except He who mattered. Our Father in Heaven, mourning the death of His only begotten son. Cueing up the Heavenly celebration of death’s defeat. Displaying in real time the parable of the prodigal son’s return home. Awaiting to clothe His son in majesty and splendor for all time, for a job perfectly done. A day where death became life and truth remained truth. Where hope surrendered to promise and promise to eternal connection with the Father for those who believe.

    “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 KJV

    What a beautiful day this day of waiting is.

    You’ve got this because He’s got you.

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  • Get Up, Let’s Go

    “Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Matthew 26:36-38 NASB

    Father, would I be invited into the garden the night before your son, our Savior was slaughtered? Would Jesus have seen in me a committed brother and son who would desire to walk with him? Be rebuked with him? Be rebuffed by those that I had lived with, learned with, worshipped with, done life with prior to Jesus turning the World right-side-up?

    “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:39-41 NASB

    Father, knowing what I know now, would I pass the test? Would I stay awake? How much was Heaven mourning this night? Heaven, where eternal life now lives, suffered the loss of your beloved son. You, I AM, made clear in Heaven as on Earth the depth of your love for your beloved children, formed in your likeness, gifted with choice and irretrievably broken…but wait! You retrieved the irretrievable. Father, would I stand the test? Do I stand the test?

    “He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!” Matthew 26:52-46 NASB

    Your son taught us how to pray, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. They Kingdom come, thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Then Father, he showed us the truth of this prayer by honoring your Will. Father, I can never be deemed worthy of the love your son reconciled this night. Father, I can only accept and share. I am awake, Father, desiring and dedicated to sharing the Mercy, Grace and Promise that was gifted this night as your beloved son said, “Get up, let’s go…”

    Would I have gotten up and gone with him? This horrid night that led to eternal beauty. Father, cause me to see that beauty lies within, where sin and shame prowl. Thank you for the incomprehensible love that this night released.

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