Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Understanding when self-knowledge is more important than self-control
• Particularly the balance between authenticity and consistency

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from 4/15 IAM: Re-Sourced

I am… conflicted.

I look for Jesus.

As a lion cub, I see the broken body of Rafiki-Jesus
Now washed clean by the penitent hyenas
That killed Him

I have no idea what I should feel:

1. Praise: that Our Father used Christ’s death and His Song to redeem the hyenas
2. Shame: that I brought Jesus here to die
3. Anger: that Jesus was the one who led me here
4. Fear: that somehow the Father expects me to resolve all this

I look to our Father.

He is somber
Implacable
Unyielding

I must obey
That isn’t even a question

The question is…
Will I trust Him?

Do I dare believe
That even my brokenness and folly
My addictions and compulsions
The dark hyenas of my soul

Are all part of His plan
Something He chose to allow
Perhaps even intended
(Super-intended?)
When He created this world
Created me

Broken
Ruined
Bloody

Like Jesus

Except…
Jesus is no longer bloody
Though He is still dead

I look at my heart.

And realize
It doesn’t matter what I should feel
But what I do feel

Grief
That Jesus died
Though I deserved to

Grief
For all the hyenas
Who had lived as exiles
For so long

Grief
That I am not the man
I thought I was
(Or at least
Wanted others to think I was)

I look to my Father.

And for a brief moment
I understand

The depths of love
The heights of grace
The terrible price
The awful joy
The unimaginable glory

He sees in me

I look away.

Nothing mortal
Can sustain
The sight of eternity
For very long

But now I know
Who I am
And not just what I must do
But why
And how

I walk to Jesus.

I stand over
His Body
On rock still stained
With His Blood

And invite the hyenas
To feast
On His flesh

They are horrified
Ashamed
Terrified
It is a trick
A mockery
To remind them
How wretched they are

So I…
I…

I kneel down
And I…
Take the first bite!

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Wretched
• Ghoulish
• Obedient
• Trusting
• Clueless
• His

Scripture

“He will be your constant source of stability in changing times, and out of his abundant love he gives you the riches of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Yes, the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure!”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭33‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬