my blushing face

Taking things for granted can be so easy. When you are used to it being there everyday for you, always steady and unwavering, it's not hard to forget about it and just live your life. But more and more, I've been realizing the things that I've been taking for granted are things that are entirely precious and should be cherished, like the relationship with my family and friends. What if one of them suddenly died? Would I be plagued with if-onlys and regrets? Would I live in sorrow over the things I hadn't done and the things left unsaid? I've realized that I love you should be said often and it is important to show that you care.

And as for my faith...I've taken that for granted too. I've been a Christian all my life. I've never been persecuted for my faith. In his hymn, Alas and Did my Savior Bleed, Isaac Watts says something that strikes deep within my heart:

"Thus might I hide my blushing face while his dear cross appears; dissolve my heart in thankfulness, and melt mine eyes to tears."

Tomorrow we celebrate Christ's triumphant resurrection from the dead, and I am sitting here with a convicted heart, hiding my blushing face. When I think about the lashings, the bloody agony, the worst pain known to man that Christ went through for me, and realize that I've taken it for granted? It's humbling. I wholeheartedly love Jesus and consider my faith to be strong...but it could be so, so much stronger. My old sinful self still screams and kicks, not wanting to be fully surrendered to Christ. It is horrifying to think that my black, awful sin drove the nails that pinned Jesus to the cross. But at the same time, it is incredibly awe-inspiring to think that he took my place, that his wounds paid my ransom, and that his dying breath gave me forgiveness and life.

I am humbled and thankful for his limitless grace.

Happy Easter, friends.