Resurrection Spirit

I spent four hours this past Tuesday afternoon in bed, in complete darkness, nursing the worst migraine I’ve ever experienced in my life.  As a result, I was up into the wee hours of the morning laying in bed just thinking. I decided it was a perfect time to reflect, a perfect time to write.  I thought about the beautiful cedar cross my husband made me for Christmas and it got me thinking of the resurrection.  Whenever I think of the resurrection I am reminded of the many instances in life where we experience difficulties, mini crucifixions and I’m comforted by the fact that what comes after the crucifixion is the resurrection and it is GLORIOUS!

As I pondered that thought I realized that all life is made up of crucifixions and resurrections.  In our own personal lives, we may experience illness, loss and difficulties of all sorts.  These experiences serve to break us open, they force us to change in some way, to learn a valuable lesson, which in turn leads us to become a better version of ourselves  if we’re open to it, if we’re paying attention.  In our spiritual lives, if we choose to grow, we do away with our “false” selves (ego driven, operating from the mind) in order to make room for our “true” selves (spirit driven, operating from the heart).  In nature we see the changes in seasons, a sense of shedding the old and then blossoming into magnificence when the time is right.  Through nature we learn the importance of “letting go and letting God” – we learn that God always provides and not just in small ways.  In nature, we see the possibility of renewal after devastation.  The ability of pine trees to reseed after a forest fire, the appearance of super fertile farmland resulting from years of flooding (as in Orange County’s Black Dirt Region).

When I look at the cross, made from a dead cedar tree on my property, I recognize the sacrifice.  I recognize that although the tree no longer has life flowing through it, its uses still live on, the tree still serves a purpose.  Although it is “dead”, the aroma is superb and the beauty of the bark is beyond compare.  This cedar still has value!  From this epiphany I realize ALL of creation is worthy of respect, it all has a purpose, it all has value, it’s all meant to be cherished.  These thoughts then remind me of all the people in this world who feel surrounded by darkness, who feel worthless, who feel like they have no purpose.  To them I say, YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!  You are made in the image and likeness of God!  God created all things and He created all things good!  As a child of God, you are surrounded by light, you are worthy and you have a purpose!  We all have a touch of the divine in us, claim your inheritance!

My heart skips a beat when I contemplate God’s grace, the free and unmerited favor of God.  What a gift of God’s grace to be able to experience life aware of the Spirit within and around me.  Paul says in his letter to the Romans:  “for those who live according to the flesh are concerned with things of the flesh, but those who living according to the spirit with the things of the spirit.  The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. And so it is, although the cedar tree is “dead” for all intents and purposes, it’s been resurrected by the production of this beautiful cross – simple yet majestic.  My focus nowadays is on the positive, not on death but on life – proof to me of life lived according to the spirit, which brings me great peace!

What difficulties are you experiencing at this moment?  Where are you focusing your attention?  Do you stop at the crucifixion?  Have you forgotten how the story ends?  Victory awaits!  Allow the Spirit to take hold. Trust in the advocate Jesus has sent for us!  Don’t concern yourself with death (negativity) but concern yourself with life and peace (positivity and light)!  Happy New Year, may this year be one of great light!  Peace, health and happiness to all!  God bless  you!