Luke 23:34-35
Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”
While
the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his
clothes. The leaders insulted him by saying, “He saved others. Now he
should save himself, if he really is God’s chosen Messiah.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When
I was a little girl, I always wanted to take dance lessons like my
classmates. My mother said we could not afford them. I will admit…I
resented that. As a child, I failed to recognize that she and my dad
were already scrimping and scraping to pay for piano lessons, braces for
our teeth, and much more – times three! I distinctly remember my mother
saying that if she didn’t make braces happen to alleviate the huge gap
between my front teeth and give me a nice smile, she would regret it the
rest of her life.
My mother was like many parents – she wanted
to afford me every opportunity for a lifetime of success. Even thought
she taught piano lessons, when my siblings and I were in junior high,
Mother paid for us to study under another teacher with
“conservatory-level” experience. For a girl growing up in our little
community, piano lessons were sure to carry one further in life than
learning to do a little tap and ballet. And Mother was right. Still, I
did not understand…and I am sure that I didn’t appreciate many of my
parents’ sacrifices - or why they made the decisions on my behalf that
they did.
I’ll be honest…there are many instances where I don’t
understand what Jesus does…even today. Why did He allow three
elementary school children to lose their dad to cancer? Why does He
allow the existence of orphans and foster children? Why are there
terrorists and murderers…child molesters and people who abuse animals?
Why doesn’t Jesus “come down from the cross” and fix all of this?
The
answer that I keep getting is…”You wouldn’t really need Me if I fixed
everything.” I also hear Jesus saying, “You don’t know what you are
asking…and I forgive you for it.” In terms of how I relate this to my
everyday living, I offer this…there are things that have happened to me
in my lifetime that I do not understand. Not only have life-changing
events occurred…accidents, illnesses, personal losses and
disappointments…but I have also made some mistakes along the way. And
each time, God has used these to teach me not only how much I need
Him…but also great lessons in humility, compassion, grace and mercy.
I
feel like I am more understanding about those around me because of the
forgiveness I have been granted. I know that Jesus stayed on the cross
for me – and for you. I know that because of His sacrifice, I am able
to look at others with His heart and the desire that they come to know
Him as I do...as the Savior who makes all things possible.
I
seriously doubt that I would still be tap dancing or performing ballet
at almost 60, but I still play the piano every week! And while I still
question events and circumstances from time to time, I learn to trust
Jesus more every day. What He allows can be used for His glory – and
make us better disciples, if we will only pay attention and trust Him to
know best. How well are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment