Power of the Cross: Beautifully Reconciled

 
Unexpected and unplanned.

God's ways are far more creative than mine and usually positioned on a different time line. Its as if He arranges the cosmos and lines up stars in such a way that His will is accomplished in times I least expect. And generally, when I'm least prepared.

In unexpectedness, God's power is magnified, for He is a God of the eleventh hour, making His appearance known when my head is turned in the other direction and I'm caught by surprise...and awestruck. This is when I'm forced to inhale deep and rely on the Spirit to move rather than pull out the plans I've tucked in my back pocket. 

As usual we were running late.

Park here, no there! Let's get closer! Turn around!

Running in circles, I purposed to find the right parking spot so I could race to the front entrance of the church.

Hurry up! We aren't going to get a seat! You aren't walking fast enough! 

One might conclude I was attending the concert of the century, but it was free concert at a church and if I was going to worship, I wanted to be in the front row!

Passing through the crowd, I quickly manuevered in and out of people to get in ready position. Trailing behind me my girls ran for every step I took and my husband no doubt rolled his eyes. Suddenly my race came to a screeching halt. 

There she was in the middle of the chaos. Her kids were trailing behind her, too. I wasn't suprised. She is a determined woman. I was, however, suprised to see her.

Frozen by time, distance, regrets and guilt, my mind raced as I thought to run as fast as I could in the opposite direction.

However, when the overwhelming power of the Spirit flutters heartbeats and stirs within, the flesh follows suit, even when it has no idea why or how or what. I called her name.

So this is why she was on my heart last week. The Lord knew I would see her and He wanted to make things right, even when I had given up.

We embraced like old friends do and small talked our way through the line before getting seats together. However, the feelings would not go away. The ones I felt deep in my heart days before, now surfaced in a well of tears in my eyes.

"I have to tell you. Every time I think of you, I am filled with such guilt. I know I've disappointed you and I wasn't a good friend over the years and I've let you down...."

Steady and sure, my stubborn heart poured out words simply hard to formulate in a room filled with the noise of strangers. Not to mention I had no idea I would see her and carefully articulate my words, ponder her reaction then plan my response back. This curve ball of an appointment was divinvely sent.

"I'm so sorry."

Each tear that fell represented the guilt and sadness I felt inside.

"Melissa! You did not disappoint me or let me down. We are sisters and nothing will ever be able to change that. I love you!"

As I sat bewildered at the conversation I was having, still caught off guard, I could feel the stitches weave in and out of my heart with every spoken word. This was a heart being mended.

This was a heart being reconciled. First to God, then to each other.

As the music began to play she leaned over and whispered. "Look how gracious God is. He planned this and now we are worshipping Him, side by side."

Tears continued to fall, but no longer because of guilt or shame, rather because of the overwhelming beauty and power of reconcilation.

Timed perfectly, I felt God tug on my own heart. He knows the road I tred and the many bridges that still need building. Bricks are laid with the mortar of humility and surrender.

This is the power of the cross, the incomparable ministry of reconciliation given to us when Christ humbled Himself and died to become our bridge to God and each other.

Traveling on the road toward ressurection, this week I'm sharing stories that demonstrate the power of the cross.