March 27, 2013 - The Jeering Easter Eggs

Okay - so #1 on Monday was endure and #2 yesterday was submitting to God's best plan. Today, let's briefly discuss the actual journey to the cross #3. After Jesus determines that God's will is best served in submission and again He remembers the joy set before him, the actual walk to the cross commences. It's bad enough that Jesus has experienced watching others be crucified, but even his journey to the cross was marked with horrific suffering. He was beaten, bruised, lashed, his beard plucked from his face, set with a crown of thorns - all horrific. But then there's the crowd. People who are supposed to know YOU. People who have watched, as well as received, the miracles standing in the crowd. People who could have offered their voices in "thank you for giving me LIFE, Jesus," were calling another man's name. I don't know about you but sometimes the words hurled are more destructive than the sword. But our savior, full of compassion, seeing our faces, made the journey without once calling the legion of angels. He made the most difficult journey without biting and making the crowd endure His suffering. I know our health journey is not nearly as painful, but there have been times where my attitude toward my family or others can get twisted by the hunger and deprivation that accompanies me occasionally. Even though I plan, occasionally the thought of one more piece of fruit doesn't appeal to me. Sometimes I can feel as though I am being cheated and my attitude may seep through, especially if I have gained a pound or two. At that point, I have to remind myself: my health, my choice, my life, great decision, this moment will pass, I am not the culmination of my feelings, there is always an apple and I WILL REJOICE as I eat it. I really have fought for the truth that health is a journey with mountains (great weigh-in days and healthy blood reports) AND valleys (days where tiredness causes me to be a whiny girl or too many nuts causes my feet to swell). Journeys start and they stop. Jesus knew he would be in heaven soon, seated at the right hand of the Father, ever praying that we would endure, submit, and stay on the journey. Our journey began on this side of eternity, but will end someday in heaven as Jesus' did. It's the middle part - the day to day journey - that is marked with suffering. But let's remember, this journey will end and all suffering with it. Let's be honest though, we want the journey, as difficult as it can be sometimes, to be marked with years of life and great health. Yes? Then, let's fight for that. As you journey today past the Easter eggs and marshmallow chicks who are jeering and fight against the reasoning that declares, "I'll eat big on Sunday and start again Monday," remember - this life is only a small segment of eternity. The journey may seem long and difficult but it's really not. Tough - yes, sometimes. Let's control our attitudes, emotions, and excuses and remember it's just a short journey. YEA! PK