We are each designed for a unique and divine purpose. Live yours!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Because of the Cross


A number of years ago I attend an Emmaus Weekend. An Emmaus Walk is challenging to explain because the preference is that future participants not know everything that will take place throughout the Friday night-Sunday afternoon over which the experience takes place.

The weekend is planned to allow the "traveller" to experience Christ at a deep, personal level. It is a time of complete seclusion but for other Emmaus participants and the team of volunteers who serve as guides/servants/small group leaders. Every learning style is addressed and catered to. Music, food, study, small group sessions, large group sessions, personal testimonies, and so much more are intermingled with time to be alone, pray, reflect, walk or socialize and relax with others.

One of the two women "assigned" to my group of 5 women displayed seemingly boundless energy. She also was a deeply committed to making the experience as meaningful as possible for each of us. Each team member has been on the Walk themselves and then receive extensive training to become a team member for others. She was a true servant in that she continually brought us soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, snacks during sessions.

She prayed with and for each us indvidually and as a group. I know the team got almost no sleep throughout the course of the weekend, buy this woman never wavered in her willingness to jump up and be sure we were catered to like royalty.

I cried many tears that weekend. In fact I'm wellng up as I type this just recalling the experience. My tears then were for my sinfulness; for my abject grief and shame. My tears were due to my absolute inability to grasp why and how God could love me enough to send Christ.

I lost any perception of composure when this young woman prayed over me after one of our small group discussions came to a close. This was her prayer: "Lord we know that you died for us. But Lord, today I need Mary to know that you would have died just for her. If she had been the only one in need of your gift, you would have died just for her."

I had never and have never been one who said I was "born again." I am blessed that even during the years I did not go to church as a young adult, that I knew Christ and His love for me. This day, though, the magnitude of the gift washed over me. The vestiges of unworthiness and self-loathing began to erode. My tears and the tears I have cried since began to wash away the past - the life I lived before I knew and fully accepted that Jesus would have died JUST FOR ME.

He would have died JUST FOR YOU, too. That's called grace. We don't deserve it - you and me - your OR me. But He did it anyway--and he would have just for you; just for me.

Because of the Cross I long for eternity in heaven. Because of the Cross I live for Christ. Because of Christ I am free and whole and worthy. Because of Easter I am like those women at the empty tomb 2000 years ago - awed, amazed, full of hope and joy!

"Because of the Cross" is the answer to every question in my life.

Because of the Cross.

If you have a post about the true meaning of Easter, please visit Becoming Me to let others know about it.

11 comments:

Andrea said...

Beautiful sweet one...I, too experienced a similiar situation many years ago...and will never forget it.

Michael said...

I flew on Richmond Chrysalis #1. Fly with Christ! :o)

Tami said...

Amen, Mary, amen.

Lisa Spence said...

I'm supposed to go on an Emmaus walk sometime in the near future--I keep having to reschedule!

Thanks for your recent visit and comment on my site!

Blessings,
Lisa

LisaShaw said...

Hi Mary,

I saw the new button that Edie did for you and so I thought I'd pop on over and visit.

"I was moved by what you said here:
lost any perception of composure when this young woman prayed over me after one of our small group discussions came to a close. This was her prayer: "Lord we know that you died for us. But Lord, today I need Mary to know that you would have died just for her. If she had been the only one in need of your gift, you would have died just for her."

Beautiful!!!

May you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday and I look forward to visiting again with you.

Tammy L. Hensel said...

You are among several who have told me this is an awesome experience. Great blog. Thanks for inviting me to participate in the "blog carnival." I linked to it. Have a blessed Easter, my friend.

Angela Nazworth said...

"Lord we know that you died for us. But Lord, today I need Mary to know that you would have died just for her. If she had been the only one in need of your gift, you would have died just for her."

Oh Mary---That took my breath away and now tears are in my eyes and I am shaking...thank you for sharing...oh this will remain treasured in my heart always.

Muthering Heights said...

What an amazing, beautiful story!

Laurie said...

Beautiful post. I have had a get-away similar to that and treasure it with all my heart.
Love and blessings.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this post-It is so sweet to meet Jesus in this way and know how much he truly loves us:)

Heart2Heart said...

Mary,

Just reading about your experience made me cry and I could relate to everything you were feeling and experiencing. What a wonderful prayer for this woman to pray for you.

How could you not hold back the tears? I still to this day, find myself crying at all kinds of situations at church.

God Bless You for being so open to share your very pure heart with us all.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat