This week, I walked through an experience which helped prepare me to fully rejoice as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.
Allow me to reiterate the experience and relate it to your pro-life ministry.
On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, our church’s women’s group gathered in the auditorium for an event called “It Is Finished.”
On our way in, each of us picked up a small rock to carry with us. We would discover the significance of the rocks at the end of the evening.
We worshipped together for a while; the lights turned down low to match the reverent mood.
After a sweet time in the Lord’s presence, we were ushered into the next stage, which was to quietly, meditatively visit different stations around the room.
We began at different points and worked our way in a circle, so my journey looked a little different than some of the others.
[Click here to subscribe to Pregnancy Help News!]
The first station I visited was titled “Denial.” Multiple candles and tealights flickered, set on tables covered in black cloth.
Remembering the story of Peter denying Jesus, we were to reflect on a time when we were guilty of the same.
We then each took a tiny spoon and snuffed out a tealight.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” -Rom. 3:23
As you consider your own life and ministry, think of a time you chose not to speak up about Jesus. Perhaps fear kept you silent.
Jesus forgave Peter and restored him. He offers the same to you.
The next station I visited involved serving others.
Instead of washing each other’s feet as was done in Jesus’ time, we washed each other’s hands with lavender-scented wipes and then gently applied scented lotion.
I ended up with a friend who has been a mentor to me. What an honor to wash her hands!
“Anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first must be your slave.” –Matt. 20:26-27
To whom might you need to minister with a servant heart? You already minister to your clients, but what about a supporter or a volunteer? A friend?
After serving and being served by my friend, I moved to The Garden station. Surrounded by tall green plants, we rubbed live rosemary with our hands to release the scent and knelt on pillows to pray.
We were to ask God for the strength to be willing to do His will, no matter what.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” –Luke 22:42
In what area of your life and ministry do you need strength to yield your will to God so that His will can be done?
After praying, I moved to a station called The Cross. Flat nails lay scattered on the black cloth surface of the table. We were to take a nail with us as a reminder of someone we need to forgive.
“Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.” –Col. 3:13
Who has offended you deeply? Who does not deserve your mercy, but needs it? Perhaps you have suffered the wounds of betrayal. Perhaps someone has treated you unjustly.
Jesus understands. He offers us the power to forgive what seems impossible to forgive.
Next, I went to the Resurrection station. Wooden crosses stood on two tables, with strips of white cloth and black markers nearby.
We were to take a cloth strip and write down a dead dream, an area of our lives we had given up on.
We hung these strips of cloth over the beams of the crosses, a visible acknowledgement of areas where we needed to believe for the resurrection power of Christ.
“And what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of His strength. He exercised this power in Christ by raising Him from the dead.” –Eph. 1:19-20.
What dream has died in your life and ministry that God wants to resurrect? What have you given up on—but God has not?
As the evening came to an end, we came full circle back to the rocks we carried.
Each of us was to leave our rock behind and exchange it for a bright, fragrant daffodil to take home—a symbol of how our old life has been exchanged for a new one because of Jesus.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone. A new life has begun!” –2 Cor. 5:17
Exercises like this help ground us. When our five senses and our physical bodies experience Scripture, we experience a holistic moment instead of just an intellectual one.
May I offer a blessing?
This Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, may you encounter the living God, the One with Whom you get to participate in the great work of life.
May you find forgiveness for past failures, power to forgive those who hurt you, and resurrection life for dead dreams.
May you gain the strength to yield yourself fully to God’s will, serving those to whom you minister with a love far beyond your own.
May the evidence of new life bloom in your heart and your life-affirming ministry—this week, and all year long.
