Overwhelmed
EmmDevs are back after a looong gap...!My sincere apologies for the slow start. The year began with a bang and I have struggled to find my feet a bit (more about that later...) We were blessed to be able to get away for a five-day break last week and now I'm hoping to get back into the EmmDevs rhythm.
I also need to give you a heads up: The next couple of months are going to be sporadic as far as EmmDevs go... I am realising that I need to manage my energy, health and well-being after a very taxing 2025 and I have some long leave that is way overdue as well as normal leave, so there will be some "interruptions to the broadcast."
We'll be picking up and finishing our series on Mark, and I think it is quite appropriate to go into Lent (which starts next week(!!)) with some reflection on the Easter message. It's kind of like "beginning with the end in mind."
Lastly, me to wish you a belated blessed new year and pray that it will be a year of spiritual growth marked and guided by God's loving care.
| They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." (Mark14:32-34) |
If I were the disciples, I would be quaking in my boots.
Imagine seeing Jesus "deeply distressed and troubled!" This would be a first-time and unsettling experience for them. After all, this is the same Jesus who slept in a storm that terrified experienced fishermen, who endured relentless testing from the religious authorities of the day, and who cast out demons that had tormented people and communities for years.
And now His soul is "overwhelmed"...
This leaves me with three important thoughts:
Firstly, it reminds us of the enormity of what He was about to do. We sometimes talk about the cross as though Jesus went to a tea-party, but actually it was daunting and enormous and terrifying - and He did it anyway!
In the second place, I find it extremely comforting to know that when I feel overwhelmed, Jesus knows how I feel. While my agenda will NEVER be as daunting as His was, when I face a plethora of responsibilities and a world full of brokenness and I am just not sure whether I can do it, it is nice to know that I am in good company.
Finally, Jesus found comfort in sharing His struggle with His disciples and asking for their support in solidarity and prayer. We should learn to do the same...
