Nuggets of Gold
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16 (NIV)
Easter has come and gone! Life returns to normal (whatever that might be). There is definitely a let down but not nearly as strong as those feelings after Christmas and New Years. There remains just one question: What new nugget of wisdom did you glean this year? Or was it just habit that pulled you through Holy week? Your responsibilities at church dragged you to all the services. The family expected that delicious, mouth-watering ham dinner. You complied.
Where is the joy? You’re tired, a little heavier from all the candy, a little less rich because you bought basket goodies for the kids/grandkids, and simply not feeling good about yourself. At church you sang the Easter hymns, wore your new clothes, greeted everyone with hugs and smiles and said, “Christ has risen indeed!” just like you were supposed to do. Yet, the thrill of what Jesus did for you is a remote thought, barely a blip on your radar.
When and how does Easter become real? For me, as I age, this special week on the calendar is what I make of it. I have spent many years just doing church by habit. Loved those Easter lilies and spring flowers! But this year has been different. There was no new dress, no candy, no ham dinner. I spent Holy week pondering His betrayal, searching Scripture for nuggets of gold (wisdom) that I could take with me after Sunday. Surrounding myself with men and women of faith took me into a deep dive this year.
Servanthood is my golden nugget this year.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ... (John 13:1-15, ESV).
Yes, my nugget is all about following His example of being a humble servant.
My prayer is that each of you have a takeaway that catapults you into a joyous relationship with Him.