Grace in the Chaos

In this place, life has a way of slipping by. Days come and go. Time takes on a different meaning and is fluid.  Especially at this time of year, it is easy to forget to contemplate and reflect, to stop and celebrate.  We are not (thankfully) inundated with commercialized attempts at getting people to remember anything really, so our holidays have a way of sneaking up on us and occasionally just slipping on by if we are not careful.

But the reminders and symbols have flooded in these last few days. All around us, the signs of grace are abundant and for that I am grateful.

I do not think it was a coincidence that the neighbors purchased a young lamb or goat from the animal bazaar yesterday.  All morning long, it’s fragile bleating voice has wafted over the wall…a reminder of another Lamb that came into this dark and hopeless world. 

During our Good Friday service, the speaker touched on the physical pain that Jesus endured while He was beaten, whipped and placed on the cross.  In that moment the wail of a child pierced the air. His tortured screams brought home the agony that was endured upon that wooden structure, with you and me in mind.

Minutes later as we prayed for this country and thanked the Father for sending the Lamb for all who are poor and hopeless and broken, a man’s voice filled the air.  As he talked loudly on the phone, he shouted M-ville several times…a stark reminder that yes the Savior came too for this dark corner of the world.

A rooster crows from the neighbor’s wall. Little t is fascinated. I am reminded of a night that a similar bird crowed three times.  Oh how often my life and actions reflect that of the one who denied. Oh how much I have to learn.

As I hang laundry, my eyes scan the hills that surround this place.  The shrines that our local friends revere sit like silent pillars.  Filled with the decaying bones of ancient heroes, they gather dust and icons and prayers and hopes…and they sit. I am struck with the words ‘He is not here, He is risen’. My heart swells with gratitude.  While throngs of hopefuls place their worries on a pile of bones, my worries go to the throne of grace.

During church Little t and I took a break from the service to swing. His face shone with delight as we flew back and forth through the air.  The words

“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living, now matter what men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer.

And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives,

Christ Jesus lives today…”

escaped my lips as we floated back and forth.  Outside the walls of our safe little compound the world exploded with sounds, a baby crying in the street, a motorcycle being driven over a speedbump too fast, kids playing soccer, a donkey braying, a helicopter flying low overhead.  In the midst of it all, we had gathered to remember. The battle rages around us, but we stop to remember.  We sang about the One who came to give His life for all. We thanked Him for His love.

How amazing that the Giver of all things good and holy, the One who brings hope and peace and truth came down to this dirty, dusty and noisy world to be the ransom for many.  His feet walked dusty streets like ours.  He reclined on the floor as he ate with friends and with sinners.  He spoke Truth where is seemed darkness prevailed.  He blessed the children.  He showed interested in the poor and the forgotten. He brought power to the powerless and sight to the blind.  He brought hope for people, and life for all who believe. 

He has not forgotten us.  A thousand ways every day, He reminds us of His faithfulness.  Over and over, He shines light into this darkness.  He is Grace lived out in the midst of this chaos. A man filled with power and truth, poured out for all.  Dwelling among us, dying for us, rising again to set us free.