Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Addressing the root causes
• Of our conflict
• And my resentment

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from 3/19 IAM: Guard(en)ed

I am… inside a beautiful garden

I feel like we should be indoors
At midnight
But it looks like noontime daylight
And I no longer see any walls
Not even the door we came in through

I am holding the sword of Jesus
Wondering if I still need it
Whom could I possibly have to fight
In such a well-tended place?

I look for Jesus.

He is striding ahead of me
A look of grim purpose on His face

I hurry to catch up
“Where are we going
What are you looking for?”

He looks over His shoulder
“There is a snake in the garden
You must crush its head”

Gulp
I glance down at my heel
I am barefoot

I ask Jesus
“Shouldn’t I be wearing combat boots?”

He chuckles
Glancing back
“Your feet are beautiful
All will be well”

Warmed
If not entirely reassured
I follow
Noting that Jesus is also barefoot
And I can see His scars

I see the snake.

Curled around the base of a vine
Large
Venomous
Beautiful
Fast
Deadly
Coiled
Protected
Ready to strike

I look to Jesus.

“How do you expect me to kill that
With this?”
I ask
Holding up His sword

He grins
“You already know”

With a sickening sensation
I realize I do

I walk to the snake.

Flashing my Achilles heel
He lunges
Fastening on to my tendon

I seize the moment
While shock keeps me from feeling pain
Smash the flat of my blade
Onto the beast’s head

Crushing it
Moments before
The pain
And venom

Make me cry out
Drop my sword
And tumble to the ground

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Weariness
• Pain
• Vulnerability
• Proud
• Ennobled
• Terrified
• Grateful
• Victorious

Scripture

“Someday Israel will take root like a vine. It will blossom and bear fruit that covers the earth…
There’s only one way that Israel’s sin and guilt can be completely forgiven: They must crush the stones of every pagan altar and place of worship.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭27‬:‭6‬, ‭9‬ ‭CEV‬‬