Jan 21st, 2021: The Agony and The Ecstasy

 The Agony and The Ecstasy – Deanna Bartalini

 

Each one of us might be able to write our version of The Agony and The Ecstasy after witnessing what is happening in the US in recent months. Some people I know have become so obsessed with current events in the US, and that describes how they feel. Yesterday was another important chapter of that play. The curtain has been lifted. Now let us sit back and experience what we are anticipating from different viewpoints and perspectives. For the time being, let these actors perform their play.

In some ways, I think the early disciples went through some similar experiences with Jesus. Their lives were touched and impacted. They heard his teachings and witnessed his miracles. They saw how unconventional he was in his dealing with others. They were amazed by he confronted the self-righteous religious leaders of the day. They didn't fully understand why he spent time with the Samaritan woman and ate with a tax collector. His teaching about his death baffled them. They were afraid during the time of his crucifixion. They did not expect his resurrection. Some even had doubts. However, He instructed and restored them after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit transformed them, and they were able to perform many miracles. They began the Christian movement with power and sacrifices.

I tend to believe that Christian Life is full of agony and ecstasy. We don't know fully, and we can be wrong at times even though we convince that God is on our side. We only know in part, so we can only respond in part. It is interesting to learn the simplicity of the early disciples' message: To preach Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. That is the ultimate Agony and Ecstasy. The Agony of Death and The Ecstasy of Life are the two realities that we continue to experience through our walk with Jesus.

Maybe we learn to feel better about life when we understand how to stay close to them.

Romans 8: 7

"Because the mindset on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so".

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 31st, 2024: Confession

Image
Dealing with pain sometimes affects our ability and flexibility. A physiotherapist friend gave me a set of home exercises to help with that. They are simple yet intense at the same time. Dealing with our human brokenness sometimes affects our ability to see and hear God. Our commitment to spiritual disciplines must be at the core of our relationship with God. One of the disciplines I have been trying to embrace more fully is confession. It’s not just about recognizing where we have gone wrong; it’s about how we have chosen to live our lives independently from God. It’s about whether we truly want God to be part of our lives. The absence of meaningful confession will damage our freedom to experience intimacy with God. "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
Read more

Sept 4th, 2024: Praying in Images

Image
It has been a rough few days. Living in immense pain does not allow us much energy to think about anything. I ended up praying in images, and not many words came out of my mouth. Most of the images were of people I know. God knew that I was praying for them as their faces came to my mind. I did not need to mention the circumstances or situations of their lives—He knows. My heart was at peace as I ended my days with these images. He will take care of my body, and I know this because I was able to get some sleep. Tomorrow is in His hands.
Read more

Oct 1st, 2022: Be With Those Who Suffer

Image
  Listening to a young woman who shared her experience of being raped repeatedly by a family member for over four years as a teenager made my heart ache. The man who did that was a leader of a church. He was imprisoned for seven months and released. He was her stepfather. Her mother chose to pick him over her after his release. Her life has changed forever. She had to go to a foster home. Her foster parents helped her with her restoration and her faith in God. Her supervisor at work asked me to see her because someone at work was inappropriate toward her. That triggered many emotions within her. I did not expect the story I heard from her. The meeting took longer than I thought, and it was toward the end of the day. She kept talking about her anger and the pain she felt when men treated her like a subject. I knew that the best I could do was to listen. She told me she had not been able to tell anyone as much as with me. God reminded me of the true calling of being a pas...
Read more