One of Seven

Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Matt 27:46

What a week it’s been.

  
I’m writing this on Tuesday night with a heavy heart after the terrorist attacks in Brussels today.

There’s a somber tone to the world. One of despair. One of hurt. One of fear.

  
And I can’t seem to shake the fact that this tragedy occurred right as we’re about to enter the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. — The pinnacle of our faith. Paradoxcally the most sorrowful, and yet most joyful occasions.

But today, there is a palpable sadness, blanketed over the global community. Which reminded me of the darkness that covered the earth at noon on Good Friday, as Jesus was hanging on the cross, right before He died.

Good Friday. The day when He hung on the tree.

  
While He was upon the cross, Jesus said seven specific things. Granted, everything that Jesus said during His lifetime was important, but for obvious reasons, the things He said while hanging upon the cross are especially important. To the point where people make a study out of just those seven exchanges: with God, with the thief on the cross, with John, with Mary, with the soldier. They all have profound importance.

Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Matt 27:46

  
 This phrase, preserved in the Aramaic language, pierces my heart, for it reveals a glimpse into Jesus’ mind. Clearly, Jesus is in agony, but His words were chosen carefully.

And “forsaken” is a strong word. It means to be abandoned.

Jesus felt abandoned.

The world had literally fallen dark. God’s son was hanging – dying – on the cross. Bearing the weight of the sins of the entire world. And where. was. God?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve uttered that prayer once or twice before.

Where was God?

IMG_6507
  
How many times have we felt abandoned? When we get bullied at school. When we lose our job. Are rejected by our dream school. Suffering through loss. Battling an addiction. Facing an overwhelming amount of work. In the aftermath of a tragedy,  like Brussels?

Where was God?

  

My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?

In a way that I’m not super proud to admit, the fact that Jesus also experienced this feeling of abandonment, offers a strange sense of comfort. Somehow reassuring. Because He felt it too.

Jesus, God’s only son, felt that God had turned His back on Him in His greatest time of need. In the height of His suffering.

And the thing about the whole situation is that, during the time when Jesus was feeling abandoned, he was precisely in the center of God’s will. Jesus was fulfilling His purpose — God’s divine plan — on earth, and He felt forsaken.

You see, I don’t think that was a coincidence.

Jesus is the ultimate role model. He is our teacher. Our guide. Our example. And even He experienced that distance, even as He was fulfilling God’s will.

  

It was one of only seven things Jesus uttered on the cross, so it’s a big frickin’ deal.

And here’s why I think that is: “Not my will, but yours be done.”

  

  

If we rewind the scene a couple of days to the Agony in the Garden, Jesus was absolutely wrecked with anxiety and despair, knowing the fate that was to befall Him. He was so distraught He was sweating blood. But during His prayer, He kept asking the Father, “Let this cup pass from me.” He asked it more than once, pleading with the Father, Why? Please don’t make me endure this. Isn’t there any other way?! 

But at the end of His prayer, He said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” 

He had complete trust in the Father.

Trust — that even when Jesus felt alone, felt abandoned, felt as though God didn’t care — he did what needed to be done. His trust and His faith never wavered. Even when the worst was happening, and He literally couldn’t see God, because the world was shrouded in darkness — He trusted.

   
Given the events of what happened in Brussels today, I think a lot of people are saying, “Where was God?” “Why have you abandoned us, God?”

We can’t seem Him. We can’t feel Him.

But we have to trust that we are in the center of His will. And that is so hard.

We have to trust that even though we’re hurting, even though we feel alone, even though we have no more light to follow, our faith will endure the trial. Because God has never abandoned us.

And sometimes, we have to go through the darkness and the despair in order to fully receive the blessing – the miracle – on the other side.

  
That was Jesus. Despite His feeling abandoned. Despite the fact that He was dead for two days. Despite the suffering and agony He endured during the Passion, He was exhaulted. 

He rose from the grave. He fulfilled God’s will and saved humanity.

  
Today, we find ourselves in the shroud of darkness.

But, like Jesus, we must hold strong to our faith, to our trust, to our hope, in what the Father has to come for us.

  

***Quick update*** BBB is now on Facebook! Let’s be friends! 🙂 

←
→

174 responses to “One of Seven”

      • I am afraid it was not a coincidence that the terrorist attacks in Brussels happened so close to Easter. It was deliberate as there were more people at the airport in Brussels, flying away on holiday, than there would normally be. I think the fact that it happened during Easter week, one of the two most important religious holidays of the Christian calendar, was also not a coincidence. We all have to be strong in this time and not feel God, or whatever we believe in, has abandoned us.

  6. So many times we do wonder where was God with so many tragedies happening in the world today. Also in my battle with anorexia, I realized I had to trust that God gave me it for a reason. I have to pray about it, and I know that it was part of His plan. Great post. Happy Easter!

    Reply

    • Hi friend. Thank you for sharing this. Yes, what a comfort to know that God always has us in the palm of His hand. Even during struggles. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love to you xox

      Reply

  7. Hi BBB! Thank you for your insightful writing, and sharing. It was a blessing to read, and think on. Remembering that Jesus went through everything while walking on earth, just as we do, according to Scripture, makes happenings in these days even more profound. We know Jesus understands our feelings. Of course our Lord Jesus suffered more than most of us ever will, and He was innocent of any wrong.
    You are gifted, talented, and wise. Keep using it all for God’s Glory.

    Reply

    • Hi friend! Oh thank you so much for this note of encouragement! Yes, he does understand and he loves us and has our back when we go through things as well. thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  8. When anything tragic happens I think there are two responses: people either use it as an excuse to say “where was God?” and doubt His existence or they use the tragedy to look more toward Him and find His glory in the misery. People suffer because of the free will that comes from living in a fallen world. We don’t know His plans, but not by our will, but His.

    Reply

    • Hey thee Ellie! What a beautiful reflection. You’re right. I pray that those moments can bring us closer to Him and His loving arms. Because it’s true-we have a choice in those moments of how to respond. And amen: let His will be done. Thanks for stopping by love. Have a beautiful night. Hugs xox

      Reply

    • I like this comment. tragic events unfortunately are a reality. People doing evil is a result of the falling away from God.
      Personally I feel why try to blame God because of misfortune, cruelty, and tragic Events? Things are gloomy enough. If the faith in God should provide some real hope, better to look and long for this than to cast it aside by blaming God.

      Reply

      • You’re so right. I love Ellie and her beautiful insight. So true. It is so much better to look for the hope than to resort to blaming God, resulting in bitterness. Thanks for this reply. Hugs and love xox

  9. Beautiful message… While difficult events may cause us suffering, we must hold steadfast to the promises of the Lord, in that he “works all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God took on human form and lived without sin and fully understood what it was like to suffer in the flesh. And in his crucifixion, He fixed his eyes to the heavens saying “My god, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This was His answer to David’s cry that begins with the same words in Psalms 22.. “Why have you forsaken me?” Christ knew exactly what He was doing, as then he said His final words, “It is finished.” How sovereign our Father in Heaven who understands suffering, brings ultimate justice to those who persecute the brethren, and works everything (even the most dire circumstances) together for good for His glory. His will, not ours, be done.

    Reply

    • Thank you for this wonderful reflection. You’re so right – he DOES work everything together for good. His will and plans and timing are perfect. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  10. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

    …Thanks for shining His light through your words.

    Reply

  11. Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins, to pay our penalty. The first question is what exactly is that penalty. It is the death of both body and soul. Jesus not only had to suffer the physical death, but death of the soul. That is complete separation from God. At the moment He made that cry, it was much more than feeling abandoned by the Father. He was abandoned by the Father.

    Jesus did go to hell following His physical death on the cross, but that was not for punishment. That was His victory lap, proclaiming the salvation already won on Calvary.

    I can’t imagine enduring both that physical pain and absolute torment of His soul at the same time. Which makes His sacrifice even more worthy of our reverence, acceptance, and devotion.

    To you and anyone else who reads this; blessings on your remembrance of Jesus’ passion, death…AND RESURRECTION!!

    Reply

    • Hey Jeffrey. You are so right. What a powerful reflection. He DID do a victory lap. And he opened heaven for all of us, even though we don’t deserve it. What a humbling and powerful testimony on the cross. His sacrifice is beyond my comprehension. Thank you Jesus🙏 thanks for stopping by, Jeff! Hugs and love xox you too!!

      Reply

  12. Awesome post. The point that sticks out to me is the quote that says sometimes we have to go through something rather than around it. As a culture, we no longer want the process. We want instant. Nothing is though. I appreciate you sharing this post and though I’m sure it is said often, reminding us of the true importance of Jesus’ death on the Cross. His life on earth was to experience what we would go through to let us know that He understands fully what we experience. His resurrection serves to remind us that in Him, we can rise from the ashes of life and God will be glorified. He knew the importance of “Not My will, but Yours be done.”

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! That really means a lot. You’re right. We live in an instantaneous culture. But Jesus is forever. What a comforting thought. God is good! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  13. It is one of my greatest comforts, to know that Jesus CHOSE his suffering to set me free. It is a love without parallel. To know that he has felt deep and life changing emotion and over came the world…we are blessed people!
    A beautiful and heart felt post dear. Have a wonderful Easter with all the ones you love💜

    Reply

    • You are so right: a love without parallel. What a humbling thought that he did choose it. For me. For you. God is good. Thanks for stopping by! Have a beautiful Easter friend! Hugs xox

      Reply

  14. Thank you for this hopeful reflection on this day at this hour. Your words speak to the hope, the peace, the grace, and the joy in Christ that fills us as we allow His love to to permeate every cell, warming our hearts and uplifting our minds. <3

    Reply

  16. Another great post. My church small group happened to meditate on Jesus’ last 7 sayings too this week. We ended up mostly reflecting on Jesus compassion on those around him even while he was dying on the cross especially to the other prisoner, “Today you will be with me in paradise”. But personally, I have always been awed by this verse that you have posted on “….why have you forsaken me…”. He experience the pain that was rightly ours. What a saviour.

    Reply

  18. Thank you for your post today. It reminds me of something I may write tomorrow. The basis of human life is tragic. It was never meant to be, not when Adam and Eve talked to God in the co9ol of the evening. Life was not tragic then.
    Now, we must experience the corn of wheat falling into the ground where it must die. If that is not experience, we live alone and apart regardless of how religious we are toward God.

    It’s amazing when you see the crucifixion in that context. Thank God for this amazing gift to the world.

    Reply

    • Hey Roy! Thank you so much for this beautiful reflection. You’re so right- thank God for this amazing AMAZING gift. He is good. Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed Easter! Hugs xox

      Reply

  19. This is so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. Your posts are so insightful, inspiring and real. I will definitely follow you on FB! Be blessed!

    Reply

  20. I love your messages. They are so uplifting and inspiring. I too find comfort in knowing that Jesus has felt abandoned; it reminds me that He knows what I am experiencing/feeling. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  21. A good post – this is why the crucifix is so important. When Jesus suffering is removed and the risen Lord is focused on it can mean that we forget in our sufferings that we have a God who suffered so extremely, He is truly with us. Have a blessed Easter!

    Reply

  23. Beautiful post! The Lord would never abandon us because He loves us more than words could say. It’s disheartening to know that many people in this world disregard the fact that Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins, and it must be so painful for Jesus to watch us from above, still sinning against Him even though He went through so much to save us. I am constantly praying that God will make this world a better, Christian place.

    The Triduum is so special, and though it is the saddest time of the year it is also the most joyful – Easter is upon us! Have a blessed Easter! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! You’re right-it’s both the most sad but also the most joyful. And yes! He loves us more than words an express. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love to you friend xox

      Reply

  25. What a beautiful reminder that God truly has a plan for us and that we have to choose to trust in him. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message during a very trying time. Loved all your inspirational pictures! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

    • Thanks Apes. Trusting in his plan, and especially His timing is so very hard to do. But thankfully He will never give us more than we can handle. And his grace is new every morning❤️ thanks for stopping by! Hugs xox

      Reply

  26. This is such a beautiful reflection on Good Friday. I completely identify with the feelings of being abandoned but have always found that trust in God, like Jesus had, will show me how cared for I really am.

    Reply

  28. My heart stopped when I read this post last night, I felt anger towards God and turned my back on the idea of “worshipping God” 12 and a half years ago, the day i lost my brother, I blamed Him for it all, everything i could throw at Him, the 11 or so years after my brothers death was spent in such darkness such despair, I didn’t take an opportunity to reconcile with God until I met the girl of my dreams, (though it didn’t last long) her faith brought me to God’s feet and I began to imagine what life would be like with God in it, then February 13th (a friday!) of last year , I met the leaders of my church, and I felt I had know them for years even though I met them for the first time that day, I was talking about all the hurt in my life and the pains i suffered. and I am here today over a year on, so blessed that God had the patience to save me even when I threw everything back in his face he welcomed me with open arms into a loving embrace of forgiveness. I am just amazed by him purity. my life is becoming so much better in him, i can not believe I wasted half my life standing against him, blaming him when he is the blameless one, the pure one the loving one <3

    Reply

  29. This really ministered to me today! God used you in such a powerful way on this post just as He does for all of your post! Be blessed my sister because you truly are.

    Reply

  32. I have read your Posts for some time now, yet today I was trying to read over the comments too until I realised it were quite a lot.
    You have been skillfully linking the suffering because of terrorism with the suffering of Jesus and our personal needs!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! Yeah, it is a comfort to know that God always has our back and that no matter what, he will work everything for good. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  33. “…he was precisely in the center of God’s will. Jesus was fulfilling His purpose — God’s divine plan — on earth, and He felt forsaken.”

    okay – that just blew me away…

    Wow… just wow… (much pondering follows)…

    (and blessings to you this Easter season)

    Reply

  34. Permit me to add a little information on Christ’s cry from the cross, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” In one of his epic Good Friday homilies, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said Jesus allowed himself to feel abandoned for a specific reason. In Sheen’s words: “He permitted himself to be without any divine consolation. To walk on the very brink of hell. To feel what it is to be damned. At that moment when the sun hid its light, almost ashamed to shed its light on the crime of deicide, our Lord now in that darkness of the very day, put on this darkness of soul, and in reparation for all of the atheists cried out, ‘My God, my God, why? Why have you abandoned me?’ That makes it possible for Brezhnev to save his soul, if Brezhnev hears that cry. The Lord felt the hell of Voltaire, of Sartre, Julian the Apostate and all who deny their Lord. From that day on they need only cry to Him to be saved, but they must cry.”

    Reply

    • Wow thank you for this powerful perspective. Archbishop sheen is such a amazing man with such wisdom. What an incredible thing to ponder this good Friday. Thank you for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  35. Thank you so much for blogging. I’m in my first year of college and have previously been diagnosed with anorexia. Every time I get an email saying you’ve posted something new, it’s always at the most perfect time! Thank you for acting as a beacon of light on some of my dark days. I pray that God continues to use you, this blog, and your writing to point others to Jesus and the hope and love He provides. Keep bloggin’!!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Oh my gosh thank you for such kind and encouraging words. I’m glad my posts strike a chord with you. Keep fighting the good fight, warrior. I’m thankful for you❤️ hugs xox

      Reply

  38. Jesus was a human man when on Earth. It’s sometimes hard to remember that he was suffering the same human agonies that all of his peers were also experiencing.

    Sweating blood is rare but still happens with a few people when they are under extreme stress. It happens with some people whose blood vessels are close to their skin. At times of high stress, the blood vessels burst and they sweat blood. It’s not a common thing and this shows just how much stress Jesus was feeling before his arrest and crucifixion. We have to remember that he lived the life of a man and faced what he faced but always had complete faith.

    Reply

  47. Great post 🙂 The terrorist attacks early this week in Brussels has made this year’s Easter holiday more somber, but as you imply, we must stay strong and think about what Jesus went through during this time. I hope you have a Happy Easter and keep up the great work as always 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much John. Yes, you’re right. It gives a new meaning and feel to the season for sure. What a tragedy. But yes, Jesus saves and is our strength. Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed Easter! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  50. thanks for liking my post & writing this one … amazing that we were led to write from a similar perspective about Good Friday, Brussels & hope in the midst of suffering!

    Reply

  51. Those words Jesus cried at the height of his suffering are so powerful. I love this post because you can really feel how pain and suffering can be endured and things can and will get better. Thank you so much for this xxxx

    Reply

  53. One aspect I struggle with in my Jacob time these past years is: how does God the Son call out to God the Father “why have you forsaken me?” when They are One?

    On a different vein, if you haven’t heard Don Buck Creacy’s “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming” I think you’d enjoy it
    Happy Easter

    Reply

  54. This was so beautifully written! I loved the connection and relevance of our own humanity in all its sorrow to Jesus’ own worlds of doubt while hanging on that cross. If we, as a society and individuals can just hold on to faith, we too will make it through the darkest of times. Loved it!

    Reply

  55. Wow, what an awesome message. I was talking to my son about the the Lauren Daigle song “trust in you”. And how we are to trust in God even when he doesn’t move the mountain or part the waters. I appreciate you honesty.

    Reply

  56. I enjoy your blog. You are a very good writer. You made some good points here. I just wanted to give some food for thought on a couple of things. It is true that at times we feel that God has forsaken us. He never has and never will according to His word, but sometimes we feel that way. The old saying, when we feel distant from God, we are the one who has moved, is true. But Jesus didn’t just “feel” that God had forsaken Him. In His case it was true. God had turned away from Him. He had to because Jesus didn’t just take our sins away, He became our sin. IICor 5:21. That’s hard for us to wrap our minds around!!! God could not look upon Jesus while He was our sin. So, it was much more that a feeling for Jesus. To think that He did that for us so that God could look on us and see Jesus and never have to forsake us. It is awesome beyond our comprehension!!

    He was indeed carrying out God’s will. When we are also walking in God’s will, we can be confident that what we are doing is for the best. But God’s will is not automatic. We cannot assume that everything that is happening in our lives is God’s will. This world is full of sin and sometimes we fall into it ourselves. We are not always living in God’s will. It’s a moment by moment decision.

    The thing with all of the terror that is striking around the world and people asking where God is….well, He’s right where we have put Him. As a world, we have cast Him aside with just a nod here and there as we go about “our” business. Sometimes there is no acknowledgement of God at all in some peoples lives, but then they want to know where He is. It is obvious from you blog that you give God more than a nod. I’m not saying you, I’m saying the world in general wants nothing to do with God. He has been pushed aside until something bad happens and then they want to know where He is.

    One last thing to ponder (I know this has turned long). Jesus’ death and resurrection is sooo important for us as believers. It happened on Passover, though, not Easter. We have bought in to so many traditions without even thinking much about it. Matthew 12:40 says that Jesus would be buried in the earth for three days and three nights. That cannot possibly be true if He died on Friday and rose on Sunday morning. You can read more about Easter on my blog at streetsandalleys.blogspot.com look for the Easter entry.

    Thanks again for your blog.

    Reply

    • Hi Renee, thank you for this reflection. You bring up some really interesting points. Lots to ponder today on the joyous resurrection day. You’re right-when we feel distant from God, it is we who are distant, not God. He never moves. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs!

      Reply

  57. I have no wonder that Christ felt forsaken–perhaps if he was to feel all the same afflictions of a man that was his final thought. Yet then there was no answer just as today when you or anyone else asks the same question. If Jesus was imbued to his very core with that spirit given of God to him, what response could his father have made?

    I often question what man, post deliverance of that new spirit to men who wish it, want God to do about the affairs of men? God has done all he can do, he has connected us to him again in an even better way than we were before the death of that original spirit of man. God has, through The Christs death given us all the power of Christ. So why should or how could God intercede more in the affairs of man? It is man who has forsaken God now and for near 2 millennia, except for rare individuals who actually followed the instruction manual and asked God, himself to teach them.

    But then what do I know, other than only through the power of that spirit within me have i lived through so much when I should have died, had every need filled long before I knew it to be a need.

    God will not ever intervene in the affairs of men. he did what was promised and then turned it all over to us. As usual and as all of history shows we still refuse to eat from the tree of life and choose to always and ever to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Our world is as we make it to be. God has little to do with it other than to wait.

    Peace

    OH you can blame Lone Gray Squirrel for this–sending me here.
    .

    Reply

    • Hi friend, thank you for this response. It’s hard to truly wrap my mind around the incredible sacrifice he made on the cross. You fought up a lot of things to mull over and reflect on this Easter afternoon. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

      • http://themanwhowalksalonewalksfaster.blogspot.com/

        I suggest all peoples of faith ponder two different ways–read the texts that all people consider sacred, Gita’s, Buddha, Qu’ran, Bible (especially the epistles) etc. then lay them aside.

        Ponder the meaning of Faith and ask that spirit which created all mass and matter to teach you their meanings. The books are too similar to be discounted as having divisive intent. Yet at the same time they all have been lost in their original forms–ergo the need to learn from within because of the way far far too many use those words. I read in the bible that

        “God himself will teach you line upon line and brick upon brick, line upon line brick upon brick, line upon line brick upon brick.”

        In the Bhagavad Gita 2:2 Krishna was teaching Aruja (a man)

        Siddhartha Buddha on his death bed told the thousands surrounding it to “Find your own path” (Granted it is a different philosophy and the meaning would take a strong understanding that he was telling them to enter with the Dharma (universal soul)

        In my intemperate and oft time foolish youth, I took, especially the first quote quite literally and found that in simple terms God the creator of all is simply waiting for each individual to “pick up the phone.”

        Be Well and always look to wisdom as your fortune.

        mark aka TWM

      • Thank you so much for this reflection. There’s a lot of truth in that last line: pick up the phone. I love that. I think God years for us to yearn for Him:) thanks for the thought provoking response! Hugs and love!

  62. You’re celebrating the wrong day! LOL! Leave it up to me to spoil everything. Expressed as ‘Nissan’, it is always the first full moon in April followed by the day. Eg: Nissan 14… All the same though! And happy bunnies! 😉

    Reply

    • Hi there Spartacus. Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I’ve never heard of “Nissan.” I follow the Christian calendar and observe holy days according to the church. But thank you for sharing about this other calendar. I always enjoy hearing different perspectives! Hope you have a wonderful week! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

      • Hello BBB. It’s not a calender, it’s a moon, and Newtonian clockwork doesn’t lie. However, I don’t think Christ is all that concerned with what day we acknowledge His supreme sacrifice, just so long as we do. And thank you for the gracious comment! You always respond with such beauty beyond bones! Your friend always: D

      • Thanks D! How interesting. Thank you for sharing this! A supreme sacrifice is right! If always blows me away to reflect on the gift He gave us on the cross. What an amazing thing. Goodnight friend xoxo

      • Nissan is a month in the Jewish calendar — the calendar that Christ also used, and actually also the calendar that Easter is based on. Passover is celebrated on the 15th of Nissan. (Note: Jewish calendar days begin at sunset, so that’s where Spartacus gets the 14th of Nissan from; the Passover celebration starts at sundown after the 14th of Nissan and then carries on into daylight on the 15th. We’re used to calendar days starting at midnight.)

        The Christian holiday that broadly parallels Passover is Maundy Thursday — the Last Supper was actually a seder meal. (Note, however, that Passover is not always on the same day of the week, as it has a fixed date on the Jewish calendar.) Easter’s timing isn’t directly tied to the Jewish calendar anymore, but it tends to be close. The main difference is that the Christian calendars, for convenience, schedule Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This is similar to the way Passover is calculated, but can result in the holidays being as much as a month and a half apart. Also, for extra fun, Eastern Rite Christians still use the Julian calendar for calculations and a different definition of “full moon” with no relation to the astronomical reality, means Easter can fall as late as May for them.

        Time reckoning is way more complicated than it seems, and of course through the centuries people have found ways to make it even more complicated. 😉

  63. Just now able to read your words to God’s Glory. Peace be with you. Thank you for sharing your encouragement. It is SUCH a gift. I want to let you know that you make a difference each day. I look forward to your blogs.

    Reply

  68. Hi!

    Just chanced upon your blog and so glad I read this post. As you said, it’s such an important reminder that sometimes, when we feel the loneliest in the world… That’s exactly when God is strongest – I believe part of it is where we fix our gaze. Sometimes, it’s also not about feeling that He is there but knowing deep down that He is because his word says so and at the end of the day, that’s where truth is. I am also reminded of the footprints poem (I’m sure you’ve read it). Hope to connect soon – I didn’t see any contact information but please do check out my site (www.writepsalmlove.com) and lets chat if you get a chance to e mail. Would love to hear your story!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Rahab2Cancel reply

Discover more from BeautyBeyondBones

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading