10 Days and Counting…

 

So our relief quit on their second day of shadowing… Basically for us that means more days working until they can find someone to relieve us. Nine days is hard enough, but ten becomes on the extreme side of things. That being said, there are house parents here who went upwards of a month without a day off, Jenny and I can simply not accomplish that feat.

 

I think it little coincidence that today’s reading be one of my favorite sections of scripture, let alone one about perseverance.

 

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV

 

A few things in this passage really stand out to me. First the author of Hebrews, and it’s inspirer, say that we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. I think this is something I need to be reminded of often. Not the I am called into the very presence of the King, not that I stand bare before His throne, that I am most aware of. I need to be reminded that I am able to do so boldly, with confidence, because I am a son speaking with His father.

Jesus, through His death and resurrection, open (and I like this part) and new and living way for us to enter the Throne Room of God. He stood between us to prove our purity and cleansed us eternally so we can have assurance in our faith and confidence in our relationship with God, even when we screw up.

Second, note that the author specifically says our hearts have been sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. The Holy Spirit may convict us as a tool of sanctification (making us like Christ), but it also cleans away the condemnation of our sins and lets us live free of guilt. Something that no other religion offers. This is huge for me. What freedom God has offered us! I do not need to walk around with my head down constantly offering a mantra of apologies and begging for mercy. It was given on the cross and sprinkled on my heart.

That doesn’t mean we don’t apologize, God forbid, rather we are all the more ready to own our sins and apologize because of the great love shown us. The point is that after that moment, we need not worry with it, ever again. When we ask forgiveness for failing, God gives it, but I wonder if He does it with a grin, for all He sees is the blood of Christ, not shed again and again, but once for all.

Third, I love verse 24. Let us spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Ok, I don’t know how much you know about riding horses, but spurs hurt. You kick the horse in its side with poking devices attached to your boot to encourage the animal to go faster, and encourage it does. In fact, the process almost becomes a joy for the horse. You see as rider and horse become one and surge forward the horse begins to open up. Ask any horseman, the horse loves to run and is eager to show it’s speed. So it learns to take joy in those slightly painful urges.

I hope the analogy is clear. We are to spur one another on. We encourage, yes, and we do so in love and fullness of joy, but sometimes it requires something that may be slightly painful to endure. The fruit, however, speaks for itself. It does take too long to begin taking comfort and joy in those little reminders and be inspired to open our gate up and run.

Finally, once more the author reminds us to take our motivation in Christ’s return. The joy of working for a King coming back to take us home should inspire us to make Him as proud as we can. Just like any child works extra hard at a task, just to see his parents beam with pride.

 

If you’re a parent like me, you know it doesn’t take much work for us to be proud of our children. If we, who are evil and broken, feel so much pride in our children, how does God feel? Pretty cool huh?