On Jesus's last night before the cross, He washed feet. He. Washed. Feet. His last night. He served people.
And on His last night, after Peter sliced the ear off of a guard, and after He was betrayed. Jesus heals the guy His disciple and friend wounded.
The story of Jesus is wild. Becoming more like Jesus is hard. It's a radical shift in living and more and more I'm looking to Jesus and saying I'm a mere human and I really need you.
The other day I was trying to pray for someone who I really don't like. And you know what happened? I couldn't. I literally could not. I didn't like them and I couldn't get past it. And you know how God responded? Just as Romans 8:26-27 tells us--the Holy Spirit interceded on my behalf and it was wild and beautiful and lovely. There wasn't shame. There was gentleness and understanding and a love so deep that loved me enough to meet me where I was and to love me enough to bring me out of the darkness.
I'm still somewhat in the darkness, but it's becoming a bit of a dim light now.
I'm not always going to be up to washing people's feet or loving people or being kind. Sometimes, I'm going to cheer on the slicing of someone's ear. I also know....sometimes I'm the one doing the slicing. Sometimes, I get really mad and that anger stays with me longer than it should. Sometimes I get mean and when I get mean, it's no good. And every time. Every time. The Holy Spirit prompts me and intercedes and wraps me up in love and says My child, My Love. Abide in me. Turn to me and I will give you rest. A love that forgives me wholly and doesn't shame me and encourages me to continue to seek alignment with the good God that I serve. His is a love that never leaves, never forsakes, and always endures. Even if, even when, even then. It's not a love that isn't just, it's a love that is just and merciful and beautiful and one that only God provides.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.
Patrick Mayberry: "How You Love Me"
