Friends - We are a week from Easter and my heart is stirred. Truth be told, the stirring began weeks ago - something about the intentionality of Lent that always leads my heart to softening.
But today was the first day that I allowed the pace of my days to slow long enough to hear God's voice in what otherwise felt like a bubbling up from within.
I confess, I was surprised at what God had in store for me not because of God but because of me. Too often, when I sense God is speaking to me, I assume He wants to say something to me about me when in reality He wants to uncover something more to me about HIM.
As was the case today. As I allowed myself to be still, I began to better find HIM and HIS heart.
And in His mighty glory and grace, I was reminded that He is preciously and mercilessly longing to be restored with those who are far from Him. (Ezekiel 33:11, 2 Peter 3:9) God is heartbroken for those who do not know Him. And in His grace, He began to break my heart for those as well.
God's timing is ever so sweet - bringing me to this place at the start of this week. It's as if God is saying - Ali! Most of the world knows about Easter Sunday but they still don't know me!
It's a fascinating reality. That every store in America (and beyond) are full of joyous reminders of the new life we find in Jesus and yet we are surrounded by so very many who don't really know Jesus. I can't help but ask, Will we celebrate in vain? I can't help but pray wholeheartedly for those who do not know our precious Savior and King.
And so, as we move through this holy week, I encourage you to pray for those who are lost, those who are broken, those who are least.
Maybe God is leading you to invite someone to join you at church on Sunday morning. Maybe God is leading you to serve your church knowing we find many more guests in her seats. Maybe God is leading you to simply fall to your knees, empty and open, allowing Him to fill you up in such a way that you better know His everlasting love.
May God lead you this week, to Him and to His heart. And may you find yourself living in faith as you step out for the sake of more joining His Kingdom for eternity.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’" Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24: 1-8