Give Me Jesus

Wow. The only word to describe my experience last night is Wow. I have so many things I want to share, and I actually am remembering them this morning. Usually that is not the case for me. I forget EVERYTHING. I forget what time Tanner's practice is. I forget to put Brett's ONLY BLACK SHORTS in the dryer on game day. I forget to pack lunches, to sign folders, to call people back (this one is HUGE btw), to check emails...the list goes on and on. AND if you know me personally, you know this is so very true. But last night at the concert, I learned things...and this morning I woke up and I still remember!

Okay, so today's devotion...ugh. I say ugh because this one really hit home for me. Forgiveness. The main idea in my devotion today is forgiveness. This seems to be a popular topic in the idea of Faith...and I am so bad at forgiving. The devotion talks about washing the feet of the disciples. And I mean JESUS washing their feet...not just the lowest of low servants washing their feet. The King of the Universe. The book says~The hands that shaped the stars washed their feet. Wow. When you think about that...anyway. The devotion says that Jesus washed their feet not to remove dirt, but to remove all doubt. Here is the hard to swallow part...Jesus knew what would come next for each of these followers. He knew as he washed their feet what their future would bring. Max Lucado said he looked for a bible verse that said "Jesus washed all feet, except the feet of Judas.". Right? I mean, that make sense. Just hours after the King of the Universe washes this mans feet, Judas betrays him. And the kicker? Jesus already knew he would.

BUT JESUS WASHED HIS FEET ANYWAY.

Much like that of our sins. He already knows what lies ahead and lies behind us...and he washes us anyway. He willingly says, come and I will wash away all sin. Something I heard last night...His Mercies are New EACH DAY. WHAT? Wait a minute...you are telling me that each morning, I can get up and he will still be there? Yep. Even if I sin and fall short of the glory of God? Yep. Even if I yell at the kids? Yep. Even if I betray a friend's confidence? (ouch) Yep. Jesus said to his disciples, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later." John 13:7 He washed them of their sins before they even committed it. He offered MERCY...Mercy...before they even sought it.~Max Lucado Just Like Jesus

Wow...a lot to take in, right? Well okay God. I have sinned. I have fallen short. I need to be forgiven. What's that? My feet are still clean? No, I am pretty sure they aren't. I am pretty sure I, like the disciples, want to bury my head in shame sometimes at the things I do, or the things I say...and he says,

Lift up your head daughter. I forgive you.

I hear you Lord.

Anyone out there who has fallen short...ask for forgiveness. And as you are asking, think about those in your life who need forgiving. Take that load off your back and offer forgiveness for those who have sinned against you. It is so much easier to let it go, than to carry the weight of a grudge.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13: 14-15

Last night at the concert, Jeremy Camp played a song that we often sing in our JAM (Jesus and Me) service called Give Me Jesus. As we were singing, the tears just started and I let them flow. AMAZING. His touch in our lives is simply amazing and if we are open to feeling the touch...and to all the good that comes with it...there is nothing else that matters. The words go like this...

Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus...You can have ALL this world, but Give me Jesus.

Take it. Take the grudges, take the jealousy, take the hatred, take the frustrations, take the sadness, take the worry...take all the things that make me fall short...and Give me Jesus.

Have a Great Friday!
Amy