Across Church Street
Stations of my heart
A personal, internal reflection that follows the Holy Week calendar.
It’s Holy Week. And as some Christian traditions walk the Stations of the Cross, I am reading through the Easter story and I am recognizing the stations of my heart, through Jesus’ disciples.
Palm Sunday — Station of Awe
Sometimes my heart cries ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’. It bows in awe and adoration of the King of kings. My heart sees Jesus seated on the throne at the right hand of the Father, with all of his majesty and glory on display.
Maundy Thursday — Stations of Weariness, Rebellion, Fear
Like Jesus’ disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, I can become weary and tune out. Like Judas—and for less than thirty pieces of silver—I betray Jesus, who said: ‘The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me’. And like Peter, my heart can become fearful to the point of denying my Lord.
Good Friday — Stations of Boldness and Grief
There are times when I, like Simon of Cyrene, take up my cross, being yoked to the instrument of Jesus’ death. Like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, I sometimes offer my resources to honor Jesus. And like these men and the women who witnessed Jesus’ death, I am appalled by what my sin required of ‘He who knew no sin’. At the same time, I am emboldened by the way Jesus faced death and by the gift of his life. There is no greater gift than this: that a man lay down his life for a friend.
Sunday — Stations of Confusion and Doubt, then Worship
Where is the Lord, this conquering King? Why doesn’t he meet my expectations and deliver me from the devastation of Sin? Is Jesus really the one? Is Jesus really alive? First, the women. Then the disciples. And finally Thomas. All struggled with disbelief. But when doubt is swept away by a blessed assurance, I can confess along with Thomas: ‘My Lord and my God’.
Consistently, Jesus pastored his disciples through Holy Week. And he is my pastor wherever my heart happens to be.
Every problem in the world
The banana peel of every relationship problem is dehumanization.
Dean Sherman has said that “Every problem in the world is a relationship problem”. This statement is probably hyperbolic, but it’s more impactful than saying something like: “93% of problems in the world are relationship problems”.
Here’s another statement that might be hyperbolic, but generally true: “The banana peel of every relationship problem is dehumanization”. Relational tensions and stresses are a normal part of human life. But tensions and stresses can quickly make a turn toward abuse. And we have been created in such a way that it’s difficult to abuse another person unless we first diminish them in our minds—make them just a little ‘less than’.
Whatever one believes about violence, it’s made bearable by labeling the Enemy—viewing them as animals rather than as people with hopes and dreams; people with parents, siblings, children, and friends; people with a generational past and a generational future.
Whatever one believes about abortion, its consequences seem less agonizing when a baby is referred to as a ‘blob of tissue’.
The crimes of gossip, rejection, bullying, slander, fraud, trafficking, and rape are easier to commit when we first believe “those people are just ____________”.
The same can be said about how we treat immigrants, refugees, people of other ethnicities and races, the poor, the ‘lost’, former spouses and friends, physically or mentally disabled, the elderly, generational groups, political groups, prisoners, and so on.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility consider one another better than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) Jesus himself said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. (Matt. 22:39)
The Way of Jesus re-humanizes all people. When the Church follows him, we bring good to the world and show God’s glory. Relationships are hard but the weapons of Kingdom warfare are mighty. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
Pinned
A conversation I had with God about grace.
I had a conversation with God this morning.
ME: Father, give me the grace to follow you more fully.
GOD: My grace is sufficient for you.
ME: Well, then give me the grace to better appropriate that grace.
GOD: My grace is sufficient for you.
ME: But I need more of your grace.
GOD: My grace is sufficient for you. Desire me, not my grace. Seek first my kingdom. Love me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and the rest will take care of itself.
At this point I wanted to ask for the grace to seek first his kingdom and to love him this way. But I saw that I was pinned.
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- poverty & mercy
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- imagination & creativity
- technology & AI
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship
I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.