Holy Week

From time to time I will pour out my heart to those of you who read this regularly (thanks Mom). This is one of those posts. It struck me today while putting on my shoes...why my shoes? Because they are the only religious clothing I have...They have soles.

What did you do for Palm Sunday last week?  Are you going to do something for Good Friday?  What are you plans for Easter?  Is there anything spiritual you are doing to prepare your minds for this week? 

Working in the church biz, I ALWAYS remembered Holy Week. I prepared lessons and events centered around the crucifixion and more importantly, the Resurrection of Jesus. But for some reason, now that I am NOT in a ministry position this week as simply passed me by.  I completely forgot about last Sunday being Palm Sunday, imagining the shouts of "HOSANNA!" and the triumphal entry. 

One of the things I LOVE about this week is Good Friday.  My first Good Friday Service was 9 years ago this year put on by a wonderful church family in Hollywood, California.  The idea of watching Jesus dying NOT knowing the rest of the story and leaving him dead for the weekend was a VERY powerful experience for me and a few others and it made Resurrection Sunday SO much more exciting to know that NO! He is NOT dead!!

But even for Easter my mind is turning to family time after service, dying eggs and fellowship.  Honestly, I guess I feel a little guilty.  How much does Jesus really mean to me if I pass through barely noticing one of the most important weeks of the year in the Christian tradition?

I don't believe I have lost my faith, nor do I believe it was a show during my paid ministry days. But it has opened my eyes to how easily I can get lost in the trivial things of this world and lose focus on God. Is my Christianity something I only really pay attention to on Sundays? What am I doing to feed my soul during the week? Who am I surrounding myself with that will point me to journey with me to a better understanding of God?

I guess my plea for the three of you who read this is, Where do you stand?  Are you looking forward to this weekend NOT because it means a chocolate rush just before tax time or watching kids finding Easter eggs in the yard wearing their Easter clothes. 

When we become a Christian we marry ourselves to Christ. We say, 'That from this point forward I will follow you anywhere. You are the most important thing in my life."  But honestly there are times in my life where our relationship anything BUT a marriage and resembles something much more dark and sad.  I go to him, spend a few hours with him, sometimes I pay for the time I spend with him but many times I don't, I leave feeling better about myself but thankful that I don't have to spend all my time with him...cause, man...that would be BAD.

Wow, forget my shiny bunnies...I have gone off the deep end!

For the rest of the week, my mind will NOT be the above statement. I will be thinking and longing looking for a renewed relationship with him. Because it is his death that saves me and his resurrection that gives me hope.  He is my Lord, my Savior, my Brother, my Friend. HE IS GOD!