Romans 5:1-11
Do you notice a difference in, say, the overall “aura” of Christians? I hadn’t thought much about it until lately. Our six-year-old attends an after-school program at his public school. One of the young teachers recently told my husband and I what a joy our son has been and that she can tell what a loving and happy household he’s being raised in. (Such uplifting words for a mom, who, like many, feels frazzled and inadequate most days.) She went on to say that many of the kids in the program are from broken homes, and the parents or caregivers often looked strained. She talked about the battles they face and about her own unhappy upbringing.
“Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.” – Pastor Steven Furtick
All of this took us by surprise. We were flattered, of course, but don’t consider ourselves any different than the families around us. In fact, we’re a broken family. We’re a blended family with divorce and death in our past, but our son’s teacher only sees the highlight reel. Our happiness isn’t because of a perfect life. In fact, it’s because of an imperfect life that’s knocked us to our knees quite a few times, but God’s grace sustained us:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:1-11 (NIV)
Because of what God has done for us, we Christians are better able to withstand life’s hardships, and that changes our demeanors. We have access to peace, grace, and hope. We know there is purpose in our suffering. And we have the assurance of salvation. All gifts that most certainly impact our “auras”.
So maybe we do, at times, radiate a little more joy. (I would argue all of Southwood does!) But it’s because of a Savior who died for us, and we all have access to that kind of love.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do Christians, in general, stand out?
- If so, what are the traits you notice?
- When joy is far from your heart, do you trust God to see you through?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for the Lenten season and Palm Sunday. Thank you for leading us from despair to hope. Thank you for loving us, sinful as we are, and for giving us the tools to live happy lives in this fallen world. Amen.
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