I See More With My Eyes Shut

Seemingly, today was a new day

Too bad it didn’t look like it

On my desk laid the tea cup I’d sipped from the night before

Not that the desk was recognizable

Piles of papers,books, bills, and unwanted mail surrounded my laptop on its last leg

Sort of looked like my life

Messy, unorganized, and out of control

A few years back things were in order

So, I thought.

Now, life had me

Racing

Searching

Looking 

Hunting

Trying to find

Peace of mind

Because I’d forgot.

That stillness

An assurance that everything would be alright.

How could everything be alright when the situations in my life said all wrong?

Things can’t possibly be alright

By the look of things I’d say the buck stops here.

I have nothing, but to rest

Hush, child and close your eyes

Now, tell me what do you see

I see mysteries, people, and places I’ve never looked for

Every hope, dream is being fulfilled, and more

The only question is

How do I get there?

When I look I can’t see.

Looking causes me to stumble at all of life’s setbacks, plights, and failings,

Seeing causes me to walk strong, steady, and tall.

My sight is full of light

In the darkest hour of night

I’m defeating giants and moving mountains

It’s morning with no sun

Once was blind, but now…

I see more with my eyes shut.

I Am Barabbas…

We are moments away from the celebration of the resurrection of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My mind crosses the events that occurred before, during, and after his death. Out of all the events from Judas’ betrayal of Jesus to the great suffering our Lord endured, Barabbas crosses my mind. What, Barabbas? Who’s that? Yes, you know Barabbas! Remember, he was a notorious criminal held in prison during the time people demanded the crucifixion of Jesus. Barabbas was a robber and murderer. Most of us would agree that Barabbas should have been imprisoned for his wrongdoing and pay the time for his crime. Back in those days the chances of you getting a pat on the wrist for doing wrong was unlikely, and it is the same in some cultures today. Nonetheless, Pontius Pilate gave the people a choice to choose the innocent sinless man, Jesus, or the murderer and robber, known as Barabbas. This decision seems like a no brainer to pick the innocent sinless man right? However, instead of the people choosing our innocent savior, Jesus, they chose Barabbas!

Most of us have felt disdain for Barabbas because how dare a robber and murderer go free, while the innocent gets sentenced to crucifixion! It seems illogical and an injustice to mankind, but God had a bigger plan in mind for us because if Jesus went free, then you and I could not be free today. Thank God for his rich mercy and love toward us. I am one of those individuals who would get mad at Barabbas in the Bible movies when he is rejoicing and laughing that he gets to go free while Jesus stands being accused and sentenced to death. How dare Barabbas rejoice and be happy? I do not know how Barabbas actually responded when the people called for him to be freed over Jesus, but he probably did rejoice. Obviously, he did not volunteer to take the place of Jesus. Nonetheless, it was not until a few days ago that it occurred to me. I am Barabbas!

I was a sinner guilty of punishment, but God! Jesus took my place and bore my sins, nailed them to the Cross at Calvary, conquered death, and rose again in three days. Imagine what if Jesus had not laid down his life for us? What an awful world this world would really be, but in his grace he looked beyond our faults and saw we needed a savior, healer, redeemer, and deliverer.

I found that Barabbas’ name means “The Father’s Son”. Through Jesus’ sacrifice we now have the power to become the sons of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12).

I hope you enjoy this Resurrection Sunday with your family and loved one’s, but mostly I pray that you experience the Resurrection power that is alive and free to every individual that believes on the name of Jesus Christ. Whether you are saved or unsaved, Jesus died on the cross and rose again, so that you could be free from the bondage of sin. It does not matter what you are facing in your life please know that God is able to deliver you and give you a new life of peace, love, joy, and fulfillment in the Holy Ghost. You do not have to remain enslaved to the cravings of your fleshly and lustful desires, but you can be set free right now. I dare you to stretch out on faith and ask God to set you free and fill you with the Holy Ghost. Your heart might be calloused or broken, but it is not too hard for God to fix and soften. You may be saying I believed in God and he failed me. We do not always understand his ways and what happens in our life, but he is there all the time with us loving us and he has a great plan for our lives. His thoughts toward us are not evil, but he wants to see us prosper (Jer. 29:11). If you think you are too dirty or you have done too much wrong for God to love and save you, then you are wrong. He came to give you life. Satan wants you to believe that God can never or never will save you because he is a liar and he hates God with all humanity. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy our lives, but the awesome part about Easter is not bunnies or milk chocolate eggs, it’s the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That same power of the Holy Ghost quickens us who was and are dead in trespasses. Jesus makes us alive and awakens us to righteousness through him. Remember that there is no good on earth that you can do to save yourself. You may be a good person, and that is great to men, but it is as filthy rags in the sight of a holy God. It is by grace that we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Be blessed and enjoy this joyous day of deliverance. It’s yours and you are victorious through Jesus.