Courage

The longer this goes on the less I feel I want to look at anything that is being posted on social media.  And I dont mean the doom and gloom stuff - to be honest there hasnt been a massive amount of that in recent days.  But Im finding it harder and harder to scroll through the screeds and screeds of bible verses and sermons and calls to prayer and especially the well meaning lists of advice about how we are supposed to be looking after ourselves.  For some reason I feel that all of it is starting to make me numb.  And it's hard enough to feel any sense of engagement with the world when one is shut inside.  So anything that adds to the numbness cant be good can it?  

On the other hand, social media ( well, facebook) is the only way I really keep in touch with anyone so Im stuck with it a bit.   I do find Im scrolling through most of whats posted at the moment and concentrating on laughing at the funny stuff and chatting with friends.  Is it just me or is anyone else in overload?

I wonder if its all part of the stripping down, laying bare, bringing us to stillness process God has us in at the moment.  I feel that we are at the start of something and we are all learning to adjust and become different people.  It makes me wonder how Jesus felt at the start of Easter week.  It must have been a surreal experience for Him too.  He started that week being a hero, having people singing His praises and shouting Hosanna.  He had the freedom to go where He wanted,  He had trusted friends.  He was calling the shots.   By the end of the week He was betrayed and disowned by those closest to Him. He was captive, hated, mocked, and was on His way to the cross.  How do you psychologically process that sort of a week?  How do you deal with the rollercoaster?   How did Jesus?

Jesus was incredibly brave.   I've never really thought about that before but He had huge courage.  We read verses like  ' for the joy set before Him He endured the cross ' and tend to focus on the joy before Him part.  But the endured part is so important.  Jesus endured.  He grit His teeth, set His face and suffered.  He didn't complain. moan. cry or quit.  He was super brave.  Lots of people have been brave throughout history. I think perhaps bravery is a Godly quality and if courage was available to Jesus then surely it is available to us.  How often do we ask for courage?  How often do we ask God to give us what He gave to Jesus - the ability to stick it out, keep on going, and do it well?

This Palm Sunday perhaps more than ever we need to be brave.  Some are going through financial wastelands and need courage to trust that there will be food in the cupboard at the end of the week. Somehow.  Some are terrified of themselves or their loved ones becoming ill. They need courage just to keep on doing life just now.  Some are already a little ( or a lot) crazy at having to be cooped up with kids or spouses or flatmates or partners and need to persevere for however long this is going to last.  There are days where the mood dips a bit for all of us.  For some the dips can be pretty low.  So let us ask Jesus. our brave, constant, determined, steadfast hero to help us.  He understands.  He knows how to do this.  He has sent His spirit to be our strength and comforter.   Thank you Jesus.