New, everything around us is beginning to look new!

The rains have come and have left behind fresh, new, green grass. Blossoms of every tint, shade and hue are popping up wherever we look. The sun itself is popping through the clouds more frequently and leaving us with a glow as it soaks us with warmth. Maybe you too feel a “spring in your step,” or at least in your heart as your eyes rest on the new sights of the coming Spring. After all, we are all about to “SPRING FORWARD” with Daylight Savings Time this weekend!

It’s in the air, the season of NEW is coming! But imagine this year, that you are facing this season of newness with a unique awareness that you have only one week to live! What would you do?

I invite you to pause a moment…

…and ponder this question with me. Before reading on, think about it! What would you do? What would I do?

Like I shared in the Vlog, I’ve been pondering this for several weeks now.

I have written down too many items to count! I have thought of every person I would reach out to! I have thought of trips I have not taken. I have been reminded of goals I have not completed or even attempted! But more than anything, I have thought about the mark I would leave when I was gone. What would others say about me? What difference would I have made? Most importantly, what would my God say to me when I finally would see Him face to face?

Would I hear those words I long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant?”

Like I said, I’ve had more time to ponder this thought. Like you, I’m sure, my first thoughts ran wildly to who would I see, what would I say, what have I not done, I, I, I!
Then as I had more time to think about it, the truth that I would soon be with my Savior, and I only had one week left to live, hit me hard. Would I have the character to set my face RESOLUTE, firm in my conviction to live a life that points others to God, even with the truth that I had only one more week to live on this earth?

My honest answer must be, only with the strength and filling of God’s Spirit!

So as I see all things becoming “NEW” again in God’s creation, I focus my mind and heart toward the most significant event in history, as we celebrate Easter.

I must look to the example of Jesus as He faced the reaity, knowig He had only one more week to live on this earth.
What did Jesus do with those precious last 7 days?

I hope you’ll stay with me as we take a close up, microscopic look at the final week of Jesus’ life here on earth.

Jesus had a seven day week, just like we do. On the first day of the week, Sunday, He prepared and then He went.

“Jesus sent two of them on ahead…Go into that village over there and as soon as you enter it you will see a young donkey tied…untie it and bring it to me.”

Mark 11:2

Jesus prepared Himself first. He knew what it would take for Him to not only fulfill the scriptures, but to take that first, difficult step. He knew that He must set His face, resolutely toward Jerusalem, and that He must enter as the “Suffering Servant, not the Conquering King,”       Isaiah 53.
The Jews expected Him to ride in on a white stallion and take His kingdom by force, but that was not God’s plan. Jesus determined to fulfill God’s call on His life and He prepared Himself to do so.

Then, I believe He took the most difficult step of all. The step that most of us never take! The step that freezes us in fear and causes us to do NOTHING AT ALL!

Jesus entered Jerusalem. He took the first step toward the last week of His life on earth!

“Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and He sat on it.”
Mark 11:7

I have not heard a lot of sermons on this phrase, “and He sat on it,” if any, but God has spoken volumes to me through it!

In order for us to be found faithful, to accomplish His plans and will for our lives here on earth, we must not only think about it, pray on it, ask others for advice about it, contemplate the advantages and disadvantages, or think through the long term benefits.
WE NEED TO JUST DO IT!

Am I saying we don’t need to pray? NO, Jesus prayed hard and often, we need to do the same!
Am I saying we do not need to read God’s Word for understanding of His call? NO, Jesus knew the scriptures and quoted them consistently!
Am I saying that we do not need the wise council of trusted faith filled followers of Jesus who will help guide, direct and affirm our call? NO, godly wisdom and council is important!
BUT, what I am saying, is that after you have done these things, like Jesus Himself did, THEN JUST DO THE THING!

We spend so much time in our world, ACCESSING! What are the benefits long term and short term. What will the yield be? What outcomes will be produced, positive and negative? SERIOUSLY?
God’s economy is upside down compared to ours! He can do what no man, counselor, economist, business expert or loved one can do! HE IS GOD!

TRUST HIM, HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!

What Jesus was facing, His last week here on earth, looked like failure from every other point of view, EXCEPT GOD’S!

TRUTH BOMB

GOD’S POINT OF VIEW IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS!

God’s point of view is the only one that matters, so when you are faced with difficult decisions, and nothing seems crystal clear or obvious, except the fact that God has called you, JUST DO IT! Put yourself on that colt, and ride!

Jesus knew God had called Him to get on the colt and ride into Jerusalem. Unlike us, Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him. But, just like Jesus, we know we have a God who will never fail us and never let us go!

Jesus was praised on that first day of the week.

“Praise God!
Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Mark 11:9

You may be praised, you may not be praised. Others may understand your call and purpose, and yet others may not.

Jesus could have commanded the respect He was due. He could have called them all into accountability for the wrongs they had done. He could have called down legions of angels from heaven and taken the kingdom by force. But, faced with one week left on earth to live, He instead, demonstrated supreme HUMILITY, and kept His strength under control.

Would I be able to do that with one week left to live? Would you? Left to our own strength, the answer is surely, NO! But like Jesus, if we were to HUMBLE ourselves before God, ask for His strength and not our own, take Him at His Word and push aside all the noise around us, I believe we too, can prepare our colts, lay down our garments, take our seat, AND RIDE!

Oh Friend, we may not know what path God will take us down, but we do know HE WILL TAKE US, LEAD US, GUIDE US, AND IT WILL BE THE RIDE OF OUR LIVES!

One week left to live! Would you and I demonstrate the humility needed to live it well for Jesus?

I hope so!

See you back here next week as we look at the next day in Jesus’ last week on earth.

I love you Friend. We are in this quest together. May we live it well and to the glory of God!

Have a blessed week!

Speak Truth Love