My Passion Week Life:
4:45am – Alarm blares
5:15am – In the gym
6:30am – Sit in traffic
7:15am – At my desk
9:00am – Meet with my boss
1:00pm – Inhale lunch
3:00pm – Take a break to bang my head on my desk
3:05pm – Question the meaning of life
3:07pm – Snap out of it and send out 32,041 more emails
6:00pm – Shut down office, head to main sanctuary
7:00pm – Passion Week service
8:30pm – Sit in traffic
9:20pm – Say hello to my husband I haven’t seen all day
9:30pm – Dream I’m on an island in a sundress with long, thin legs. Because life is always better with thighs that don’t touch.
This has been my week. Passion Week. A week to study and celebrate the life of Jesus prior to his crucifixion with the body of Christ. It’s holy and sacred and—if I’m quite honest—exhausting. [If you work for a church, you know what I mean.] Every night we’ve hosted speakers, teachers, guest bands, and a host of visitors. As awesome as the week has been, it’s come with some gnarly challenges.
In the process of trying to ensure things run seamlessly, I’m coming undone at the seams. This is not my resurrection day for crying out loud, but for our team of creative planners, there is a responsibility to magnanimously give glory and honor to the One who’s day it truly is.
This morning while haphazardly slipping on my socks, I asked myself if things will come together for Passion Week, Good Friday, and Easter. What if the musicians aren’t in key? What if I go over the planning budget? What if the outdoor services have to be moved indoors because of rain? What if lighting cues are off? What if I don’t find anything to wear for Easter?!
And then I saw it.
There, on the bottom of my foot, was a small colorful sticker. It was one of Ryen’s Easter stickers she’s been putting up all over the house. I laughed and wondered how it ended up on the bottom of my foot until I peeled it off.
I held in my hand a pastel colored sticker with a cross and banner waving across the middle, gallantly waving the letters F-A-I-T-H.
I know you’re going to think I’ve done lost my mind, but for this tired girl who wonders if things will ever come together, if things will ever change, if what I’m doing really matters, I’m holding on to a simple reminder: Have faith.
Awesome post.
4:45am? Really? I won't complain about 6:00am anymore. Thanks for the post! Without faith it is impossible to please God. I am so glad we have this hope. Happy early Resurrection Day:)
I ask this out of a desire for sincere dialogue, not judgment: do you think all the franticness of a highly programed Passion Week leads people to the cross? Does it inhibit the church staff's ability to focus on all that this week represents?
Also, 4:45? Oh my. I need that type of dedication!
It matters, not to man but for God. 🙂 I know it's a hard week, I'm feeling it too but hang in there. 🙂
God has perfect timing doesn't He? You pain a very vivid picture of finding something on the bottom of your shoe. Good thing it was a message from the Lord instead of toilet paper!
Happy Easter Bianca.
God heard all your thoughts and even though it wasn't a "cry out to Jesus" moment.. HE heard you and answered you.. FAITH.. God is faithful, always faithful
Kinda puts a whole new meaning to walking with Faith, doesn't it? 😉
Yes. My jokes are usually that bad.
LOL….that's a good one. I enjoyed it.
😉
I hope Matt has something wonderful and relaxing planned for you next week!!!
Thank you for the reminder to have faith in all circumstances, even when things are coming apart at the seams… In the middle of final exams I needed to hear that. He has overcome.
I also just wanted to encourage you… Even if all of those 'what ifs' happen and all of these things that seem to matter so much don't work out the way we would hope, He is still risen. The victory is already ours. The timing and the lighting and the weather may not be ideal, but His saving grace is unchanging.
May He renew, restore & meet with you as we take this weekend to remember His promises, His sacrifice & our shared reward! 🙂 Bless you, Bianca!
That's really great. And I agree about the thighs thing, haha.
I love this post and can totally relate, since I work in a similar role at my church here in Idaho. Whenever I'm having these types of weeks, I love to meditate on this scripture..
2 Thessalonians 1:11 MSG
Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time-pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something.
Crazy to think all my genuine efforts, and yes, even my good ideas and acts of faith can be completely meaningless without HIS energy. Kinda crazy, but also very humbling and liberating. I bring my best, and He brings His:)
And yes, I believe it is all worth it, even if just one soul comes to know Jesus!
I sing in the choir at church, and between extra rehearsals and extra services, I had similar thoughts this morning…this is such an awesome week, but I feel exhausted already! Thank you for this reminder!!
As someone who also works at a church, I really needed this today. Thanks!
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